Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Fathia returned to the routine that limited her movements. She only hoped that the day would come when she could have an afternoon shift. Her mind was full of questions, and for some reason, she believed that something was hidden there. Also, she hoped that this weekend Kenzo would return home. So, she could freely be in her father's workspace.

"Hey, Anne," Vino greeted with an overly friendly tone, making Fathia turn quickly. Confused, she stared at Vino without blinking. Her reverie about all her hopes vanished. It was replaced by Vino standing next to her work desk with a slight smile. This made Fathia even more anxious, where her conviction that Sebastian also Vino knew who she really was.

Fathia just responded with a nod. Behind her mask, she smiled hesitantly. Since morning, she had been suspicious, but she had brushed it all aside because Sebastian was too present since earlier. He left her only when the clock struck ten. And even that only lasted half an hour.

The girl couldn't move further than Sebastian's line of sight, she was sure of it. There were things she needed to do in that room. It felt like the job was just a way to keep Fathia within it.

"Your dad's waiting," Vino added without reducing his friendliness at all. Truly, this only made Fathia more jittery. Could she refuse? No. Besides surrendering with a slow exhaled breath, what else could she do?

She nodded again before her hand knocked on Sebastian's office door. The voice she recognized so well allowed her to enter. Once again, Fathia took in the air that was growing thin due to the mask; she still had to do it. If not, inside Sebastian's room, she would feel a very thin supply of air.

"Have you eaten?"

Fathia nodded in response.

Seeing that the girl was still standing not far from the door, Sebastian shook his head slightly. "Sit over there," he said, pointing to the corner of the couch where many sheets of work had appeared, and Fathia didn't know when. Could it be that during lunch, Sebastian didn't eat? Instead, he ate paperwork or in other words, worked? Indeed, Fathia knew Sebastian was a hard worker, but to the extent of skipping lunch? Was that the same as not caring for himself?

"I've seen, your writing is good. Help me transcribe this work."

Fathia gaped. She kept looking back and forth between Sebastian and the desk he had indicated. What did he mean? But that question clearly couldn't be voiced except through the resigned nod she could give. Meanwhile, a thin grin emerged from the corner of Sebastian's lips.

Seeing the girl now beginning to sit on the couch, starting to transcribe what he instructed without asking too many questions, made all of Sebastian's assumptions about who this girl really was solidify. No, it went up to a hundred percent certainty. No, maybe a thousand percent.

What Sebastian instructed was the result of a messy meeting. One that Sebastian often added to after each meeting according to the policies he wanted. Where, many times, the results of those meetings became the content of the reports for Fathia in the apartment before.

"How long are you going to be like this, Fathia?" Sebastian asked, his tone resembling a grumble. Shaking her head slightly, she didn't make that an issue as long as the girl didn't distance herself anymore. Even last Friday, she skipped a dinner that could have been used to lobby for evidence to entrap Alef, she postponed it. Choosing to slowly advance her car until the luxury sedan picked up the two girls. One of the girls, whom Sebastian recognized as Fathia's friend, looked around before finally getting into the car.

Sebastian moved a full distance but could still reach the sedan until it truly stopped at the old house he used to visit often. Especially the welcome from the person closest to Fathia there; Naomi. It certainly reinforced the suspicion that Fathia... was still alive.

The ringing of the phone, signaling a new message, shattered his thoughts. He glanced reluctantly at the object that now displayed an unfamiliar number.

(+62813********445)

I've already handed over the final proof to Mr. Ronald. Please release me from all charges, Sir. I beg for your mercy.

Sebastian's fingers tapped softly and rhythmically on the desk, covered in thick black glass. After everything that happened? This person was asking for mercy? Sebastian chuckled softly. "In your dream."

Brushing aside thoughts of the message's sender pleading to him, he chose to immerse himself in his remaining work. There was still time to prove that everything that happened was connected, plus the person they targeted was in his room. Though Sebastian didn't know the motive yet, his gaze wouldn't stray anymore.

Ignoring whatever was happening around him, for Sebastian from the beginning, Fathia should have been his priority for protection.

Sebastian allowed Fathia to sink into her tasks for quite some time, while he himself was kept busy with the influx of emails. Occasionally, he glanced at the girl who seemed engrossed in writing. Sometimes, he adjusted his thick glasses. But one thing was certain: she didn't remove her mask at all.

Was she not having trouble breathing?

Just as he was about to ask, the intercom buzzed. Sebastian had to suppress his curiosity. The call was from Vino. He said, "Sir, Mr. Alef is here."

Sebastian glanced at his Tag Heuer on his left wrist. Half past two in the afternoon. Just like Alef promised, they would discuss the final part of the pricing determination before the auction in two weeks. This would be the last auction Sebastian would attend.

"Tell him to come in."

Fathia sneakily observed Sebastian's activities and quickly averted her gaze to the door as she heard the sound of a click, accompanied by Vino and... Alef, entering the room. Just like the last time Fathia remembered, her uncle still walked with the support of a cane. Not much had changed since the last time Clara remembered when their parents' will be read.

Uncle Alef remained as calm as ever. However, this time, there was a hint of displeasure as Alef looked at Sebastian, who was still sitting comfortably in his large chair. Fathia observed closely, not wanting to miss this rare opportunity. She hoped intensely that Sebastian wouldn't ask her to leave. She perked up her ears while directing her gaze back to her task. She used her head to record well what they would discuss later.

Opportunities don't come twice, right?

"Welcome back, Sir," Sebastian greeted with a handshake. It was met with a chuckle and a small grin from Alef.

"Thank you." Although he responded to the handshake, Alef felt the urge to crush Sebastian's hand right now. But no, he wouldn't do it now. His goal was within reach. Why bother removing this foolish man in front of him? All signs were in his favor. All he had to do was wait.

Yes. Only a few more months were left until his goal was achieved. He could still control what Sebastian had been up to for the past week, which had irritated him suddenly. Then his gaze swept around and landed on a woman in an office girl uniform.

"Who's that?" Alef asked with a nonchalant tone.

"Oh... Sorry, Sir. I asked for help organizing files earlier. Vino is swamped preparing for our meeting tomorrow." Sebastian gave a small smile, which was met with a suspicious look from Alef. "Anne, you can leave now."

Feeling summoned, Fathia looked up. She couldn't believe that Sebastian was asking her to leave. She blinked slowly but rose from her seat. She didn't dare object. Who was she now? She gave a small nod and a slight bow as a sign of farewell. She couldn't just ask for permission to leave the room.

Leaving behind the hope that had soared so high—being able to overhear the conversation between Sebastian and Alef. As she passed Vino, it was the man who smiled warmly and nodded slightly at her first. Fathia was suspicious, but she couldn't voice it now. All she could do was respond with a small nod and gracefully walk away.

Since Fathia's workspace was on this floor, she couldn't easily go to the floor where Jess worked. A little puzzled, she headed towards the pantry near the elevator that the employees used to move between floors. Walking slowly, she observed the employees working under the Azure Group. Even though this area was only occupied by the HRD and Finance departments, Fathia could still sense that they were some of the pillars of Djea.

There was banter among them. And their focus on their respective tasks. Plus, back when Clara was in the marketing division, there were many casual conversations where their lives depended on the Azure Group. So, if Fathia didn't fight to uncover what was really happening in her father's business, what would become of them all?

Her mother's words came to mind, remembering when the Azure Group had a difficult time. Fathia glanced slowly at the nearby room. That time had passed long ago. There was no guarantee that the same people who fought for the Azure Group were still around. If Fathia could access employee data, it would be easy to know who had worked for the Azure Group for a long time.

However, her father's struggle was something she had to greatly appreciate.

"The boss is meeting with Sebastian, Max," Fathia froze right then and there. Her steps halted abruptly, and she pressed herself against the nearby wall. Hide. It was the foremost thought in her mind at the moment. Her body was shaking heavily. That voice... the same voice she heard in Bandung.

"You're right. His goal will be achieved soon," he chuckled softly. Fathia didn't know what his face looked like, because her courage to even peek vanished completely.

"Give him some time, Max. After that, we execute. Our revenge will be fulfilled."

Fathia's body collapsed mercilessly. Her hands covered her mouth to prevent any sound from escaping. Cold sweat started pouring. Her heart wasn't beating as usual anymore. Her breathing felt tight, as if she were being crushed by thousands of tons.

"Don't worry. As long as the boss is under my supervision, it won't be easy for him to leave."

Then the sound of the shoe hitting the floor was like a pounding rhythm that greeted Fathia's ears. Fathia's grip on her mouth tightened even more, just to allow herself to breathe, but even that was difficult due to fear that the sound of her breathing would alert the person, letting them know someone was eavesdropping on their conversation. Truly, she was afraid that the sound would come in her direction. In a single glance, it could be confirmed that Fathia was behind this wall.

The cold sweat drenched her forehead even more. She closed her eyes while keeping her ears sharp, hoping intensely for a moment when she could escape. The footsteps grew louder. Resounding. Creating a suffocating melody for Fathia.

"Oh my God! Don't let this person know I'm here!"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Alan," someone faintly said, and Fathia could barely hear it. No, it wasn't that deep and intimidating voice. There was someone else, thank goodness, giving her a chance to escape.

Without much thought, Fathia stood up. Strengthening her resolve with the little energy left, she turned around. She walked as normally as possible, so it wouldn't be obvious that she had been behind that wall. It was an impressive act, making it seem like she had just emerged from the door over there.

***

"I don't understand why all the funding for your project has been stopped, Sebastian?" Alef asked without beating around the bush. After making sure the door to Sebastian's room was closed with the exit of the office girl earlier, he didn't want to waste any time.

His voice was soft, but Alef knew that there were many tones of annoyance there that he had directed towards the man. He truly couldn't fathom why Alvin had entrusted the Azure Group to him. Instead of him being in charge.

He had even crafted a lengthy scenario to take control of the Azure Group. Damn it. Alef gripped his cane tightly.

"Is it still not enough?" Sebastian asked softly. This time, he wasn't playing around. He had gathered all the evidence. Ronald had compiled it all and handed it over to the police. Sebastian only needed one moment, tomorrow, to reveal one of the several suspicions pointing to Alef.

"Not enough?" Alef shook his head, looking at Sebastian with an unusual intensity in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

His conversational partner shrugged nonchalantly. "No particular meaning, Sir."

"It's been a week without any funds coming in, Sebastian. It's disrupting production. Even if you want to know, we've already lost hundreds of thousands. Where's your calculation? Zero?" Alef's anger was merciless. He wasn't speaking casually anymore. His emotions were rising. While he didn't need to raise his voice, Sebastian should've known who he was dealing with.

"True," Sebastian retorted, leaning back in his chair and meeting Alef's sharp gaze without flinching. He wasn't backing down at all. "Tomorrow is the decisive day, Mr. Alef. Whether the funds will continue or not. Considering that I haven't received any reports from you up to this moment. I'm the one who needs the zero calculation that you mentioned earlier."

Alef's hand clenched tightly. His breath roared. His eyes locked onto Sebastian without hesitation. But a soft whisper entered his mind. "Let it be. Let Sebastian be satisfied with bringing you down within the remaining of his term. Soon, Lif. Very soon. The Azure Group will be in your hands."

Taking a deep breath, he normalized the tumult in his chest, ready to unleash it. Alright, if that's what you want. I'll send the report soon."

Sebastian nodded gently.

"There's one thing you need to know, Sebastian. I played a part in building up the Azure Group too. I wouldn't destroy it just like that."

Again, Sebastian gave a nod. "I'm sure, Mr. Alef, you love the Azure Group. Is that right?"

Those words carried so much meaning that Alef caught within his mind, but he chose to speak with as normal a voice as possible. "Yes, that's right. I love the Azure Group." He pushed his chair gently, stood up with the support of his cane, and walked away from the room that would soon be his.

If only the man named Sebastian Sachdev would disappear at that moment, it could be confirmed that all his goals were achieved. Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. There was no longer any reason for Alef to get rid of Sebastian this time.

Alef walked away without saying goodbye to Sebastian, who was still staring at the only candidate who would replace the Azure Group in the near future. He didn't think it was necessary. Sebastian should've followed his orders here. Not him looking like a dog's lackey. Piyan was truly an idiot! They both should disappear. Fathia... and Sebastian.

"Sir," Alan greeted softly. "Are... you okay?"

A heavy dark aura was so palpable in Alef's gaze now. "Did you send the revised report?"

"Yes, Sir."

"I'll check it before confirming it with Sebastian. That damn guy."

Alan chose to follow his boss's steps. Every time it involved Sebastian, his boss's emotions always ignited. A small grin formed on Alan's face because it wouldn't take long for him to make his move. Not under Alef's orders anymore. No. He just needed to wait for that time to come.

"Alright, Sir."