This morning Jef was back serving his family-in-law breakfast. He served attentively, although he could feel the sardonic stares from Syarla and his in-laws.
He tried to hide all his hurt and sadness, preferring to keep matters under wraps rather than express anger which might only make things worse.
During breakfast, Jef overheard his in-laws discussing the security plan. David called in some of his bodyguards, and a trusted bodyguard. He ordered that security for Syarla be tightened. "Remember, make sure you stay alert. Our enemies could strike at any moment," David said in a serious tone. "Don't leave even the slightest gap."
Jef, who was turning the dishes, smiled sarcastically to himself. "However, even if thousands of bodyguards are deployed, if the enemy is at home, it's useless," he muttered to himself, feeling satisfied with the situation. However, he chose to remain silent.
"Jef!"
Suddenly, David called out to Jeff.
Jef was startled, worried that his father-in-law had heard what he was saying to himself.
"Jeff, I have something to talk to you about," David said.
Meanwhile, Syarla and her bodyguards prepare to leave the house. Because Syarla had a photoshoot today.
David took out a baby picture from the desk drawer. "Look at this," David said to Jeff, showing him the photo and some birthmarks on the baby's back.
"This is the grandson of my enemy. I believe he is still alive and must be found soon. Look at these birthmarks, very distinctive and rare. If you can find him, I will reward you."
Jeff looked at the photo, his eyes shrinking. "What do I get for finding this man?" Jef demanded.
"A treaty."
"A deal?"
David nodded. "If you succeed, I will pay off all your grandfather's medical expenses and make me my daughter-in-law officially."
"That sounds interesting," Jef said to himself.
Jef couldn't help but laugh at his foolish enemy.
Jef accepted the challenge. He knew it was just a drama. However, he was also aware that the risks he faced were enormous.
*
On the other hand, today there was a share auction at Airlangga's company.
The office hall was filled with dozens of investors from various cities. Randy Arbuzar and David Devaki were no exception.
Randi Arbuzar and David Devaki are two long-time business rivals. They sat in the corner of the room with serious expressions. Today's much-anticipated stock auction pits them in a fierce battle.
The bidders, consisting of prominent businessmen and investors, sat attentively. The auction this time was about big company stocks and everyone knew that Randy and David were the main contenders in this race.
"Call for the next bid, sir!" exclaimed a prominent auctioneer, breaking the silence with his firm voice.
"One hundred thousand dollars!" exclaimed David confidently, followed by a dismissive smile.
Randi showed no expression of surprise. She just smiled faintly, then raised her hand. "Two hundred thousand dollars," she said in a casual tone.
David gave Randy a sardonic look, feeling offended by the offer. "Three hundred thousand dollars!" he exclaimed, raising the bid with confidence.
Randy rolled his eyes, then calmly said, "Four hundred thousand dollars."
The bidders began to whisper, mesmerised by the tension. Randy and David stared at each other with a strong businessman's aura.
David, with a very expensive suit and a confident look on his face, felt that he would win this auction. Randy, with his calm and collected demeanour, showed a firmness and certainty that made him a fearsome opponent.
"Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars!" shouted David, raising the bid vigorously.
Randy only smiled faintly. "Five hundred thousand dollars," he said in a confident tone.
David, though visibly angry, fought back. "Six hundred thousand dollars!”
"Seven hundred thousand dollars!" replied Randi in a snapping tone, without losing her cool.
David looked shocked, but he still fought back. "Eight hundred thousand dollars!"
However, Randi was ready to finish the fight. "One million dollars!" he said firmly.
David, feeling frustrated and disappointed, finally declared, "One million two hundred thousand dollars!"
However, at that moment, the leading auctioneer raised his hammer and announced, "This stock goes to Mr David!"
David smiled broadly and stood up, approaching Randi with triumphant strides.
"You'll never beat me, Randy. I'll take everything off your hands. You lose!" David said in a mocking tone.
Randy, despite losing the auction, didn't show any hint of anger. He just smiled faintly. "Do whatever you want, David. Whatever you do, you may be able to mobilise all your bodyguards and treasures, but I only have one bullet.”
David looked at Randi in confusion. "Bullets? What do you mean?"
Randy turned around and started walking towards the door. "Realise that one bullet could finish you today. And it's in the hands of someone very close to you."
David felt the tension in the air. "What do you mean, Randi?"
Randi paused and turned her gaze to David. Never mind, there's still a lot to think about. So focus on the others. Don't be afraid of one bullet,"
Randy patted his enemy on the shoulder. Then he walked out of the room.
David immediately contacted his men and asked for a report on everything that was going on at his house. "Make sure there's nothing suspicious in the house. I want a full report within the hour!" he called out.
*
After returning from the auction, David felt dissatisfied and restless. A sense of unease continued to haunt his mind, especially after Randi's statement about the "bullet" threatening him. He believed his enemy, who was in his house, could be a big threat if not dealt with.
"Ah, how could there be enemies in my own house. After Arbuzar, no one dared to enter my house. Even if there were, I would have finished them off."
David decided to go down to the kitchen. There, he found his servant preparing dinner for his enemy, who was currently in the dungeon. David approached the servant with a serious expression.
"Stop for a minute," David ordered, making the servant stop and turn his head.
"Can I help you, sir?"
David scanned his surroundings to make sure there was no one else here but the servant.
Then David reached into his trouser pocket. David took out a small bottle from his pocket, containing a red coloured liquid. "Add this to the tomato juice. Make sure she drinks it."
The waitress looked doubtful. "Sir, is this safe?"
David looked at her sharply. "Follow my orders. This is important.”
The waitress accepted the bottle and started pouring the poison into the tomato juice glass.
Jef, who happened to be passing by, saw what the waiter was doing. Jef's eyes widened instantly. He quickly sneaked closer, trying not to make a sound.
"That waitress was specially assigned to deliver Grandpa's food and drinks. And what did she mix into that drink," Jef thought.
He quickly hid his face as soon as his father-in-law came out of the kitchen.
Jef quietly picked up a glass and poured the tomato juice in the blender into the glass. He did it very carefully.
While the waiter was busy organising the plates and picking up the spoons, Jef seized the opportunity. Carefully, he replaced the poisoned tomato juice with freshly prepared tomato juice.
Without attracting the waiter's attention, Jef threw the poisoned juice outside, seeing the dangerous reaction coming out of the glass.
Jeff breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the poisonous liquid was bubbling and blackish in colour outside the glass. "What a horror," Jeff muttered, amused.
"David's gone too far. He's overstepped his boundaries!"
Jef put the glass on the table.
"I swear, I won't spare him."
"Hey! What are you doing?" the waiter shouted when he saw Jef standing near the table with his glass.
Jef quickly moved the glass to avoid being caught.
Jeff pretended to be calm. "Nothing. Just making sure everything is safe."
The waiter, who seemed unsuspecting, returned to his duties.
"How could I let this happen?" whispered Jef to himself, thinking of his grandfather's safety.
Like the previous morning, Jef was going through his routine. Carefully, he washed his wife's feet, while trying to stay focused. However, his fatigue and lack of focus led him to make a misstep. His long nails accidentally scratched the skin of Sharla's feet.Instantly, Sharla cried out in pain. "Ouch! This Jef of yours never gets it right! Look what you did!"Suddenly, Sharla grabbed a basin of water, which contained germs from her own foot, and spilled it on Jeff's face. Jeff, whose face was wet with dirty water, remained patient. "I'm sorry Sharla I didn't mean to,"Syarla snapped. "You can't do your job properly! I've recognised your face here and you've let me down!"Jef stared blankly at Syarla, annoyed but choosing to remain silent. "I was just following orders."Syarla was getting annoyed. "It's not enough to follow orders! You have to show that you're useful here. Otherwise, what's the point of me employing you?"Jef held his breath, trying to be patient. "This is the first
David removed Jef's shirt with a rough motion, his eyes narrowed in concern as he examined Jef's back. When Jef's shirt was lifted, it revealed a pure white back, without a single birthmark. David frowned, then let go of Jef. "No birthmark! No sign of Arbuzar's grandson here!" David said to himself. "This can't be! This can't be!"He glanced at Jef with a look full of suspicion and disbelief. Jef stood still, just looking at David flatly. David moved away from Jef, going back to checking the servants and other family members quickly, as if to make sure there were no further mistakes. "Everyone must comply with this inspection! Don't let a single person escape!"Meanwhile, Jef recalled the circumstances that almost exposed his identity. He was grateful that his wife's expensive foundation and makeup tools managed to cover his birthmark. Despite sweating after activities, the foundation kept his back clean and no suspicious birthmarks were visible.Tired of her father's suspicions,
"Wash my feet properly!!!"In the large marble-floored room, Jef sat at the feet of his wife, Syarla Devaki, holding a basin of warm water. His rough, tired hands began to gently wipe Syarla's feet, following the instructions he had memorised. His wife, meanwhile, sat in the makeup chair with her mobile phone in hand, scrolling through social media while occasionally laughing softly.Several other servants were busy doing Syarla's hair and make-up, making the room feel even more lively. "Bring me a comb!""Bring nail art, please!""Be careful not to tangle Miss Syarla's hair."Even so, in the midst of the crowd, Jef felt an eerie silence, as if he was isolated in a place that was supposed to be his home."Ouch, Jef! What are you doing? The water's too hot!" Syarla's loud voice broke the silence. Jef was startled, immediately pulling back his hand that was washing Syarla's feet. "I've told you many times that the water should be warm, not hot! What's so hard about listening?" compla
Inside the restaurant's eerily quiet kitchen, Jef stood in front of a pile of dishes that didn't seem to diminish. Soap suds clung to his hands that were already wrinkled with water. He let out a long sigh, wiping away the sweat running down his forehead. Moving his hands, which were getting slower and slower due to fatigue, Jef tried to finish his work.The last of the glasses and plates were washed, stacked neatly on the drying rack. His thoughts drifted home, remembering Syarla and David's inhumane treatment.Suddenly, there was a noise from the dining room. Jef peeked through the kitchen door and saw his boss, speaking in high tones to the staff. "Everyone come here! There's a big problem! One of our important guests' wallet is missing!" The HRD swept his gaze across the room, his eyes sharp like a hawk stalking prey. "I'll check all of your bags,"Jef had never been involved in anything like this, but the situation shocked him. He himself had never thought let alone imagined b
After hearing Randy's confession and reflecting on what had just unfolded, Jef realised that last night's events had been long and full of surprises. He looked out the window and saw that the sun was already rising, signalling that a new day had begun. He decided to head back to his in-laws' house. There were tasks that still needed to be completed, and although his new identity as the heir to the Arbuzar family had just been revealed, his contractual agreement had not yet expired.Randy, who had found his nephew, was relieved though also a little anxious. "I won't stop you," he said, making room for Jef to leave. "But know that I'll always be watching and looking out for you. You are free to do what you want, but remember who you are."Jef nodded, understanding what his uncle meant. He felt cared for, though he still felt strange about all this.With his wounds still sore, his hands bandaged, and his forehead still bruised, Jef left the place and headed for his in-laws' house.Once
Jef walked slowly through a secret passage that led to the back door of the house. He deliberately went through the back door to avoid questions from his in-laws and wife. He knew that his contract with Syarla was coming to an end, and with Randy ready to help pay for his adopted grandfather's treatment, he felt there was no reason to stay. However, there was one thing he needed to do before leaving and that was to collect his belongings."David and his son already took everything from me. I'll make sure they don't take anything else from me, including my stuff," Jef said. As he opened the back door, Jef saw several servants busy in the kitchen, preparing food. He was relieved that so far there were still some servants who were friendly, and made him feel a little welcome, even though they all knew Jef's position in this house was nothing more than a servant.Jef noticed that the food they had prepared looked unappealing, almost rotten. "Who is this food for?" asked Jef curiously.O