"We're back here, Mom."Franklin finally moved into the luxurious house after giving Elena five days to remove her belongings. The next day, when all that remained were Mr. Smith's family heirlooms, Franklin brought his mother and sister to live there.In front of the ornate gates of the classically designed house, Franklin's mother held back tears. She couldn't believe this was the gift Franklin had mentioned to her a few days ago. A magnificent house filled with memories of her late husband, Mr. Smith.Vina also vaguely remembered the building, which hadn't changed much. She recalled parts of the house where she used to play as a young child. Though she didn't remember everything, fragments of memories about the house's layout were still clear in Vina's mind."How... is this possible, darling?" his mother asked, her voice trembling.She cupped Franklin's face lovingly. Franklin always gave gifts on special occasions, but this was the most extraordinary gift he had ever given. His mo
"Has Pilot Eden disappeared too?"Clara nodded slowly as Franklin repeated the information she had shared. A few hours after receiving Karina's report, Clara finally spoke privately with Franklin. She relayed all the information Karina had gathered."Does this mean... we can't find out who was involved in sabotaging the plane that killed my father?"Clara quickly replied, "There will be other ways, Franklin. Don't worry, Karina is experienced enough and has a good team to search for any group that might be involved."Franklin let out the breath he'd been holding. He glanced at Clara's lit cigarette, which she was letting burn slowly without taking a drag."You don't smoke?" Clara asked when she caught Franklin looking at her cigarette.She offered him her pack of favorite cigarettes. However, Franklin shook his head as he wasn't a typical smoker."It might take quite a while, Franklin. But be patient because Karina will bring good news eventually."Franklin understood, though he didn'
"We don't have any kind of relationship, Mom."Franklin leaned back on the soft couch he hadn't felt in a long time. The man looked unenthusiastic after returning from a mission to deliver weapons to a large cartel planning to cause unrest during the American leader's speech.However, as soon as he set foot inside, his mother greeted him with an odd question. Franklin even furrowed his brow, not understanding what she meant."I've seen you and Clara are quite close. So, is it wrong for me to think you have a special relationship?"Franklin looked at her with a faint smile. Once again, he answered, "No, Mom. Clara is my boss. All her help has been because I once saved Clara when she nearly lost her life.""Really?" Franklin's mother moved closer. She smiled a little and teased Franklin again. "It wouldn't be a problem if you had a relationship with Clara. Besides, aren't we on equal footing with her now?"Mrs. Smith was right. All their wealth assets had indeed returned to her hands. A
Clara stared at herself in the mirror, touching her lips that always reminded her of the recent incident. When Franklin brought her into a warm tenderness that afternoon. Until now, Clara always touched her lips, remembering the incident that made her feel drunk with love."How dare he kiss me without permission," Clara glared at the mirror, her face suddenly changing to annoyance.Clara turned around and sat at her vanity, which contained only a few body and face care products. She looked out the window of her spacious room; the morning light was already shining. Clara could predict how bright it was outside, making her reluctant to do activities outdoors."I should be with Franklin today heading to the medical factory." Clara snorted. "But how can we meet after what happened? I'm sure he's very embarrassed now."Clara was still wearing the thin clothes she usually wore to sleep. Her clothes were always revealing wherever she was. So it wasn't surprising that yesterday afternoon Clar
Clara's facial expression looked very sour. There was no aura indicating she was in a good mood. Franklin, who had come for a specific purpose, could only stare at Clara. He couldn't open his mouth when Clara was in that state.After Franklin decided to leave, Clara suddenly called him as he was at the main door threshold of the apartment unit."Where are you going, Franklin?" Clara called out. Although her eyes were focused on the gadget screen in front of her, she could clearly hear Franklin's footsteps moving away."Of course I have to go home. I can't stay here long. My mother—""Why did you come here anyway?" Clara looked up, throwing a sharp gaze from her sleepy eyes at Franklin."Just... just to deliver a message from my mother."Clara put away the gadget she was using to watch series. She looked calmer as she leaned back on the sofa. Not only that, Clara also patted the empty spot beside her for Franklin to sit there."What did your mother order?"Franklin shook his head. He s
"Reyna?"Franklin hadn't expected his ex-girlfriend, who had cheated on him with another man, to be calling. Who else but Reyna, the woman who had been Franklin's sweetheart for over a year. But now all his love for her had burned away, and he no longer wanted anything to do with his ex."Sorry for calling you out of the blue, Franklin," Reyna said casually. She cleared her throat and continued, "I know you must be very busy, right? After all, you'll be inheriting the Cendana Group soon."Reyna knew that Franklin was wealthy now. Before, she hadn't known he came from a famous billionaire family in New York. During the final hearing that decided the transfer of assets, many TV channels had reported on the trial and conducted interviews.It was on that day that Reyna saw Franklin's face captured by the cameras. On TV, it was written that Franklin was the rightful heir who should lead the Cendana Family after his father's death. Of course, Reyna didn't want to waste this opportunity. Bes
After making Clara feel more calm and comfortable, Franklin finally headed home to fulfill his promise to his mother. He brought Clara along for the planned dinner.When they arrived, Clara was warmly welcomed, as usual. Mrs. Smith was very friendly and would happily receive anyone. Especially welcoming Clara, who had caught her interest. Mrs. Smith liked Clara because the woman seemed very kind and met the criteria she considered suitable for Franklin. So, it was no surprise that Mrs. Smith always wanted to meet Clara."Sorry we're late," Clara said while accepting Mrs. Smith's warm hug."Why did you bother bringing all this?"Franklin's mother reluctantly accepted, understandably responding that way. After all, Mrs. Smith was only expecting Clara to come for dinner together. She didn't need any gifts."Of course I had to bring something to accompany our dinner. I hope the taste of this food is suitable to be served after the main course."Their small talk didn't last long because Fr
Clara noticed Franklin's restlessness. He kept checking his vibrating phone on the dining table. Clara only spoke up after dinner was over and the conversation with Mrs. Smith ended when Franklin asked his mother to rest.Tonight, Franklin was taking her around the city. The still-vibrating phone showed a notification of a call that bothered Clara. She glanced cynically at Franklin's phone, its vibration making noise against the car's dashboard."Why don't you answer that call, Franklin?"Franklin, who was initially ignoring it and focusing on the road ahead, immediately turned to Clara and glanced at his phone still showing Reyna's unknown number."It's not important."Clara crossed her arms, her cynical face immediately commenting on Franklin's indifference. She said, "How can you say that call isn't important? The same number has been calling you repeatedly, hasn't it?"Franklin nodded, but he was really honest about the unimportant call. Besides, Franklin was sure Reyna just wante