Eric's POV
Although I felt hesitant to say it, worried that Serena would reject me or could read my thoughts, I was relieved when she remained silent, as if thinking. However, I spoke again to reassure her."Serena, this could be an opportunity for you. If you ask for money for the study tour, it could show that you still want to be in touch and also put a little pressure on your mother," I said, trying to sound convincing.In my mind, there was a plan to use Serena as a tool to blackmail Malisa. Although my intentions were not pure, I tried to keep Serena from realizing what I was really planning. My success in influencing her mind gave me new impetus to continue my bigger plan. "Sorry, it's not that Dad doesn't want to be responsible for your expenses, but Dad hasn't found a job yet because all of Dad's assets have been secretly frozen by your mom. So, Dad has difficulty making transactions; Dad's credit and ATM cards have also been blocked by yourEric's POVI felt satisfied today. It felt like a big win after my child defended me. The money I hoped for finally came through, and on the other hand, it made Serena hate Malisa even more and embolden her to act disrespectfully. Indeed, this is what I wanted and hoped for with Lina.In the corner of the room, Lina and I sat waiting for the outcome of the conversation between mother and child. The tension was palpable in the air, but a satisfied smile remained on my face. I knew that all of this was part of my plan to control the situation.With every passing second, my curiosity grew. Whatever happened, I was confident that these steps would lead to a beneficial outcome. In my mind, I was planning the next move, imagining how all of this would end according to my wishes. I hoped Malisa would relent to Serena and agree to send the money that Serena asked for. Lina gave me a faint smile, and I smiled back at her. However, behind our smiles lay feelings of
Eric's POV I tried to keep my expression calm, hoping everything would go as planned and Serena wouldn’t dig deeper into this issue. Suddenly, Serena furrowed her brow, puzzled by my answer.“Is that true, Dad? Is it true that Mom hasn’t sent the money I asked for on the phone?” she pressed again.I felt the pressure mounting, but I tried to stay calm. “Yes, dear. Sometimes transfers can be a bit slow. There might be a technical issue. Let’s just wait, okay?” I replied reassuringly.I hoped to divert her attention and make her feel more comfortable without suspecting anything. I just needed my plan to remain safe.“Let me see,” Serena said.“Of course, look here. Check my phone! There’s no notification that your mother has sent the money you asked for earlier,” I said, handing her my phone to check.Serena took the phone I offered and looked at the screen to check for any transfer notification from Malisa. However, she didn’
Eric's POV "No, Serena. Maybe your mother is tied up with other matters for now. Let's wait until the end of the day. Maybe in the afternoon or evening, your mother will send the money you asked for," I said, trying to calm Serena.This was part of the scenario I had prepared, a step that was not easily readable. By diverting Serena’s attention, I hoped to deepen her disappointment and strengthen her hatred for Malisa. Every word spoken was part of a plan to create an ever-widening gap between mother and daughter."Okay, if that's the case, let's just wait for the truth until the end of the day," said Serena, following my suggestion.After that, she excused herself to go to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Lina and I had the opportunity to discuss the matter further. In silence, we planned our next steps, reinforcing our strategy to ensure that Serena's pain and disappointment toward Malisa would deepen. Every important detail in this conversation would be us
Eric's POV Serena would become a thorn in Malisa's life. In many ways, blood can often be more lethal in toppling a biological parent's position. The deep emotional ties interwoven between them could turn into devastating ammunition or, conversely, a poison that slowly eroded a relationship that should be filled with love. It all depended on how Lina and I played this game.I understood well that the emotions and relationship between Serena and Malisa were incredibly powerful weapons. If used wisely, Serena could become an effective tool to break Malisa down. Every word I planted in her mind, every direction I provided, was part of a larger strategy. I needed to ensure that every move I made was not only beneficial to us but also painful for Malisa.Throughout this journey, I realized the importance of understanding the psychology behind their relationship. Malisa, as a mother, certainly had hopes and dreams for Serena, but those hopes could be exploited to we
Eric's POVI tried to convince Serena that I truly cared for her. Even as her cheerfulness faded, I longed to see that spark return to my child's face. This was how I showed Serena that I wanted her to feel sympathy and trust in me again.I struggled to remind her of the beautiful moments we had shared. "Serena, do you remember when we went to the park and played on the swings? Your smile back then made me feel alive," I said, trying to lift her spirits.With each word, I pulled her feelings and thoughts toward me, hoping to rekindle the trust that may have started to fade. I wanted her to know that I was there for her, ready to support and help her through all the difficulties we faced."If there's anything I can do to make you feel better, please tell me," I continued, trying to show my sincerity. "I want us to get through this together."Serena looked at me with doubt in her eyes. I knew her trust in me wouldn't return easily. However,
Eric's POV Although the atmosphere was a bit awkward, I felt relieved to hear her response. We both tried to stay calm, even though the remaining tension was still palpable. In my heart, I was determined to keep this relationship healthy and supportive, despite the emotional challenges we had to face.Today, I spent a lot of time here with Serena and Lina. We started by cooking together and then enjoying the dinner we had prepared as a trio. I kept my promise to Serena to dedicate today solely to her. By the time we finished our meal, we had devoured our cooking with great appetite.However, suddenly Serena brought up the topic of the money that Malisa had promised to transfer. I was stunned and nearly forgot about it.Anxiety crept into my mind, reminding me how crucial that funding was. The joyful moment we were supposed to share now felt slightly disrupted. I tried to remain calm and handle the situation wisely, even as feelings of pressure began t
Eric's POV However, suddenly Serena brought up the topic of the money that Malisa had promised to transfer. I was stunned and nearly forgot about it.Anxiety crept into my mind, reminding me how crucial that funding was. The joyful moment we were supposed to share now felt slightly disrupted. I tried to remain calm and handle the situation wisely, even as feelings of pressure began to creep in.Serena suddenly asked, "Dad, has Mom sent the money yet?" Her question startled both me and Lina, causing us to turn towards her."I don't know yet, let's check on my phone together. But I haven't heard any notification sounds so far. Let's make sure together. Come on!" I said, pulling out my phone for us all to see.We gathered around the phone, the warm atmosphere we had before now replaced by tension and anxious anticipation. This moment reminded me of how important communication and clarity were in our relationships, especially in situations involv
Eric's POV With that explanation, I hoped Serena could understand this complex situation. The decision to leave was not easy, but I wanted to protect everyone from potential larger conflicts. My hope was that she could let go of her desire for tonight and understand that sometimes, keeping a distance is the best step.I chose to go home, deliberately avoiding any more dangerous troubles. Although I genuinely wanted to be close to Lina, Serena's presence complicated everything. It felt pointless to be there with Serena around, like a mosquito disrupting the space between us.If only Serena weren't there, I was sure Lina and I would feel more comfortable together. However, the reality was that Serena was present, forcing us to act as if we were strangers in front of each other. This situation clearly made me feel uncomfortable and stiff, hindering us from truly expressing ourselves. Serena's presence became an unavoidable barrier, creating tension that was hard
Malisa's POV I actually thought that Eric and Roby might be quite similar in character. My thoughts suddenly scattered, and I began to remember something more important. I immediately thought to call Mariana to schedule a meeting tonight at my house. I would start to share my suspicions with her, hoping she could provide insights on my temporary analysis and perhaps offer a solution to all of this.After a day filled with activities and trying to seek clarity, I finally arrived home feeling exhausted. My mind and body felt worn out from everything that had happened. Reluctantly, I collapsed onto the soft sofa, hoping to rest a little before Mariana arrived. While waiting, I turned on the television, looking for some entertainment to distract me from all that weighed on my mind.Since that major incident, I felt a bit traumatized by social media. Every time I opened the apps, it felt like facing an increasing pressure. My social media feeds seemed to turn
Malisa's POV Time passed, and I continued to wait. Every sound from outside made me alert, my hope burning that Roby would appear at the door. In my heart, I prayed that everything was alright. Anxiety began to creep in, but I tried to stay calm. This was an important moment, and I didn't want to miss the chance to speak directly with Roby.While waiting, my thoughts drifted back to the encounter with Eric and Lina. What had happened between them? Why did they look so anxious? All those questions haunted me, but I knew that once Roby arrived, I would soon have my answers.Time continued to pass, and even though I had waited a long time, there were no signs that Roby would come home. The day grew darker, and anxiety began to overwhelm me. I knew it was impossible to stay here any longer without certainty.Finally, I decided to call my guard. I assigned him the task of watching over the place, hoping he could help monitor the situation. At least I felt
Malisa's POV With full concentration, I continued my journey. The road felt familiar, and each second brought me closer to the long-awaited meeting. Finally, I arrived at my destination.Seeing his house, I was shocked. It was small and looked a bit shabby, far from my image of Roby's home. I couldn't believe my friend lived in a place like this. Memories of the past raced through my mind—how Roby was always cheerful and full of spirit, even though his situation now seemed different.I got out of the car and began walking toward his house. It looked inhabited, but it appeared neglected, making me feel a little disgusted. The peeling paint and the yard filled with weeds added to the gloomy impression. Strangely, the front door was wide open, revealing a messy interior.I tried calling Roby's name, but no one responded. The silence made me feel uncertain. "Roby!?" I called again, hoping my voice could stir him. However, only silence greeted me, fi
Malisa's POV "You clearly wouldn't know Roby; when he was our neighbor here, you were still very young. Let me talk to the caller; give me the phone!" the mother said, asking to speak to me directly.It seemed her child had handed the phone to her. The mother's voice began to greet me on the line."Sorry, ma'am, are you indeed asking about Roby's whereabouts?" the middle-aged woman asked me."Yes, of course, ma'am. Sorry for disturbing your time with your family. Let me introduce myself, I’m Malisa," I said, starting to introduce myself.This straightforwardness made the atmosphere feel warmer. I could sense sincerity in her voice, and my hope rekindled. The woman paused for a moment, perhaps reminiscing about past memories related to Roby."Wait, your name sounds familiar. Are you one of those famous people in this country?" the middle-aged woman asked, as if trying to remember something."Oh, you must be mistaken. A name l
Malisa's POV I quickly explained the situation I was facing. “I’m looking for Roby, and I’m having trouble getting information about him. I need your help to find out more, maybe through your friends or your network.”Mariana listened attentively, noting every detail I described. She has an incredible ability to connect people and find information in unexpected places. I felt relieved knowing that I wasn’t alone in this search.“Now you go to the place where I used to go to school. I will send you the address via text. Go to the operator and administration section to inquire about the student profile data from my cohort. You can focus on Roby's personal data,” I said in detail, ensuring all steps were clear. “Once you get that, you can trace his address and go there.”Mariana listened intently, absorbing every piece of information I offered. “Okay, Mrs. Malisa, I will carry out that task immediately,” she replied, ready to proceed. Her enthusiasm made
Malisa's POVMariana determined that Roby was the key player in this matter. The realization of how important he was left me feeling confused about where to search. However, I was confident I could find him through my other friends, especially those who had gone to school with us. It seemed unlikely that among all my schoolmates, none would have maintained contact with Roby.I began to think that at least one, if not more, of my friends must still be in touch with Roby. Perhaps they knew his whereabouts or even had his latest address. This information was crucial for my upcoming efforts. Yes, I needed to contact my friends one by one to keep this confidential and ensure my plan went smoothly.With a resolute determination, I opened my contacts list on my phone. The names there reminded me of various memories, both sweet and bitter. I began to formulate a plan to reach out to them, selecting those I thought would be most likely to help. Each message I compo
Malisa's POV My conviction grew that both had conspired and were involved in criminal activities directed at me and Serena.This was truly outrageous, and I knew they had to be stopped to send a strong message. I couldn't slack off in this effort. My spirit burned brighter; they had to face the consequences of their actions that ruined my life. Taking my child's life in vain was something I could not forgive.Every step I took would be filled with determination. I would gather evidence, trace their connections, and uncover all information that could link them in this conspiracy. The pain I felt would be the driving force to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the path.I planned strategic steps, ensuring every detail was attended to. I would bring them to court, and I was determined to see justice served. They would regret creating such enormous and fatal chaos in my life.I found myself lost in thought, reflecting on everything that
Malisa's POV Every piece of information I gather could be the key to understanding the dynamics at play.I decide not to give up. I must find a way to approach Eric and get the information I need without raising his suspicions. This isn't just about protecting myself; it's also about protecting our family. I feel that the truth must come to light soon, and I am determined to seek it out, no matter what happens. The realization that Eric's past might have a significant impact on my life and Serena's drives me further. I must find all the pieces of this puzzle and assemble the complete picture.I look at Mariana, trying to draw her attention back. "Mariana?" I ask, attempting to pull her out of her thoughts and demand the overdue answers."Yes, Ms. Malisa, sorry," she replies, as if just returning from a deep daydream. She seems reflective, as if thinking about something far beyond our conversation.My curiosity gnaws at me again. I want to kno
Malisa's POV "So far, I've obtained Lina's track record and background. It turns out Lina had a husband, or rather, she used to have one," she said, deepening my curiosity about the direction of this conversation. My curiosity intensified as Mariana began discussing the information she had gathered. I listened carefully as she explained Lina's personal data. Surprise after surprise emerged as Mariana revealed that Lina indeed had a husband, or more accurately, had once had one.This information was truly intriguing. It turned out there were layers about Lina that I hadn't known. I began to imagine how her relationship with Eric could be more complicated than I had previously thought. If Lina had such a background, there could be many things that needed to be uncovered.Mariana continued her explanation, providing further details about Lina's track record. She explained about Lina's personal life before meeting Eric, including the marriage she had exp