"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
Clara listened as Franklin explained in detail about his relationship with Reyna. A relationship based on love. However, Franklin also didn't know why, after he put in all his efforts for Reyna, she ended up betraying their love.Franklin sacrificed a lot of money and energy to help Reyna, who wanted to become a famous model. He drove Reyna to interviews, even having to sacrifice his work hours to take her to her destinations.Not only that, Franklin also had to set aside his wages to buy suitable clothes for Reyna to hang out with her fellow model friends. Franklin spent a lot of his money to maintain the prestige in his girlfriend's life.Hearing all of Franklin's explanation, Clara wondered. She didn't expect Franklin to have such a bitter and suffocating love story."Didn't you ask why that slut cheated?""She told me in front of many people that I couldn't give her anything, so she chose Steven."Clara was stunned to hear Franklin's answer. "Didn't she see all your sacrifices? I'
Franklin was finally allowed to go home after a few weeks in the hospital. His condition was improving, and although he was still tired, Franklin was relieved to be back home. Clara, who faithfully accompanied him during his recovery, prepared to take Franklin home.Just as Franklin was ready to be discharged, the hospital room door suddenly opened and Selena appeared. She was carrying a bouquet of fresh flowers in her hand. She smiled when she saw Franklin, "Hi, Franklin. I'm glad to see you're better. I came to see you."Franklin smiled slightly and nodded, "Thank you, Selena. I'm glad to be home too."Clara, who was standing beside Franklin, felt something strange when she saw Selena. Although she tried hard not to show her feelings, her heart was filled with jealousy. Selena always seemed to be close to Franklin, and even though they were just friends, Clara couldn't help but feel uncomfortable every time she saw their closeness.Seeing the change in Clara's expression, Sarah, who
Charles felt increasingly desperate. Despite all his efforts to separate Clara and Franklin, he couldn't accept the reality that Franklin would remain in Clara's life. The long-suppressed jealousy and hatred in his heart reached a boiling point, finally pushing him to take more drastic action.That night, Charles entered the hospital with cautious steps. He hid his evil intentions behind a calm facade. After ensuring the hallway where Franklin was being treated was empty of nurses or visitors, he approached Franklin's room door.With trembling hands, Charles opened the door and saw Franklin lying weakly in the hospital bed. His face looked peaceful, seemingly unaware of the deadly threat approaching him. Charles walked slowly to the bedside, trying to calm his mind filled with various considerations. However, one thought kept dominating him—that Franklin must be eliminated so Clara would no longer be bound to him.Charles reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pillow. He was c
After waking up, Sarah felt dizzy and confused. The world seemed to be spinning around her, and it took a while for her to realize where she was. Slowly, the memory of Franklin's accident hit her again. Suddenly, her heart was filled with deep worry, and she immediately asked to be escorted to the hospital, where Franklin was being treated.When Sarah arrived at the hospital, she found it very quiet. Family and neighbors sat anxiously in the waiting room. As her eyes fell on Clara, who sat quietly by Franklin's bedside with eyes puffy with tears, Sarah felt something different in her heart.All this time, Sarah had always objected to Franklin and Clara's relationship. Not because of Clara, but because of the dark past, where Clara's brother Charles was allegedly involved in the death of her husband, Franklin's father. The wound was still too deep for Sarah to heal, and it made it difficult for her to fully accept Clara.However, now, seeing Clara faithfully stand by Franklin's side, h
That morning, the atmosphere in Franklin's house was calm and peaceful. After going through the trials that almost separated him from Clara, Franklin was feeling more optimistic about his future. Although there was still a lot to sort out, especially in his relationship with his family, Franklin was confident that he could get through this with Clara.He got ready to go to the office as usual. As he left the house, Clara walked him to his car with a gentle smile. "Be careful on the road, Franklin. I'll be waiting for you at home," Clara said as she kissed his cheek.Franklin smiled back and closed the car door. No bad thoughts crossed his mind as he started the engine of his car and started driving down the highway. However, what Franklin didn't know was that Charles and Ronald had executed their latest plan to ruin Franklin's car.Somewhere hidden, Charles and Ronald were watching from a distance. They had sabotaged the brakes of Franklin's car, ensuring that the accident would happe
Charles sat in his magnificent study, with a large window overlooking his back garden. However, the beautiful view outside the window could not ease his anger. His face was tense, and his mind was filled with plans on how to separate Franklin from Clara. To Charles, Franklin was a threat he couldn't ignore, especially since Clara loved the man so much.Just then, the door to his study opened slowly. Ronald, his best friend and ally, entered with steady steps. Charles looked at him with eyes that implied tension, then invited him to sit down."Ronald, I can no longer allow Clara to be with Franklin," Charles began in a flat, but firm tone. "We have to separate them, no matter what we have to do."Ronald nodded slowly, although in his heart there was hesitation. He understood that Charles had personal reasons to hate Franklin, but Ronald also knew that Clara was a strong woman and not easy to manipulate. However, his feelings of love for Clara made him willing to do whatever it took to
A few days had passed since the last conversation between Franklin and Clara. Although they had decided to distance themselves from each other, their feelings still bubbled beneath the surface. Franklin felt lonely and restless. Every night, his mind was filled with images of Clara, wondering if the decision to stay away was the right one. However, doubts and insecurities continue to plague his mind, the result of Charles' manipulations poisoning his mind more and more.Meanwhile, Clara cannot fully accept the fact that her relationship with Franklin has been fractured. In the midst of her turmoil, she realizes that there are many things that Franklin doesn't know, and that makes her feel even more guilty. However, she knew that she was not guilty in any way. Clara tried to focus on her work, but the feeling of missing Franklin always loomed over her.One afternoon, Clara received a call from one of her men, Toni. Toni was the person she trusted to investigate more about what happened
Charles and Ronald were both upset to hear the news that Franklin was back. For Charles, Franklin's return was a nightmare that shouldn't have happened. He feels that Franklin is an obstacle in his quest to control everything, including Clara's relationship. Meanwhile, Ronald, who has long harbored feelings for Clara, is now burning with jealousy. Franklin's return means Clara will refocus on her lover, making Ronald feel even more distant from her expectations.At a café, Charles and Ronald meet to discuss their next plans. Charles sipped his coffee with a serious face, his eyes staring straight ahead, trying to devise a strategy."We can't let this continue," Charles said, his voice low but determined. "Franklin needs to get out of Clara's life, or at the very least, Clara needs to get out of Franklin's life."Ronald nodded, though inwardly he felt anxious. "But how? They seem so close now, especially after this incident."Charles furrowed his brow, thinking hard. "We'll have to sep
After a long and tense journey, Clara finally arrived in front of the Franklin family home. She glanced at Franklin in the passenger seat, who still looked tired and shaken by all the events they had just gone through. Although Franklin was trying to remain calm, there was obvious worry in his eyes. They had just escaped Amanda's clutches, but what awaited at home might be no less nerve-wracking."Franklin, we're here," Clara said softly, breaking the silence. Franklin nodded, trying to compose himself for a moment before getting out of the car.When Franklin and Clara got out of the car, the front door of the house was wide open. Sarah, Franklin's mother, and Vina, his younger sister, stood in the doorway. Their faces instantly changed from shocked to full of emotion when they saw Franklin. Vina immediately ran to her brother, hugging him tightly."Brother Franklin! You're alive! We thought you were...," Vina's voice was cut off by the sobs she couldn't contain. She had been devastat
Franklin stood still when he saw Clara in front of him. His face was filled with shock, as if he couldn't believe that Clara was really here, in this remote village. After everything that had happened, this meeting felt like a miracle. Meanwhile, Clara looked at Franklin with a mixture of relief, anger, and anxiety. The tears she had been holding back now began to well up in her eyes."Franklin... Are you okay?" Clara's voice sounded hoarse, full of emotion. She came closer, almost wanting to hug Franklin, but something held her back. Maybe it was the feeling that this was too surreal, or maybe it was the haunting sense of dread.Franklin nodded slowly, still rooted to the spot. "I... I didn't expect us to meet here. Clara, I really don't know how to explain everything. It's like a nightmare."Clara reached out and took Franklin's arm. "We'll get through this together, Franklin. I won't let anyone hurt you again."However, the moment was suddenly interrupted by a rustling sound around