Chapter 71: Chapter 71

That alley was really dark. Suddenly, he felt his breath tighten. With minimal lighting, he tried to walk. Feeling and using the walls around as support seemed like the best choice he could make. Larasati remembered, when she left her room earlier, her steps would lead to the staircase towards the lounge area. Right. Trying hard to remember, because the lighting was really insufficient. She was going to scold everyone working in her house later. She wanted to shout and call one of them, but she couldn't.

It's like there's a huge barrier blocking her voice from coming out. And just as she reached the stairs, she descended slowly. She used the stair railing as a support. Slowly, she went down the stairs while wondering what was actually happening. And to make things worse, her hair stood on end due to the dominating darkness.

Before she could even finish descending the stairs, a voice that was too familiar to her ears was heard. Heavy. Full of threat. But she tried to muster the courage to approach it. She needed to ask what was happening in her house.

"Their business trip for contract signing, Lan. You know what to do, right?" The voice said with a terrifying tone that wasn't joking. The tension that she felt grew even stronger. What she initially intended to approach, she swallowed nervously. Taking a step back was the quickest thought in her mind. Besides curiosity, she was also afraid of disturbing the voice's owner.

"Don't let it fail, Lan. I won't accept failure."

She inched closer by tiptoeing. Trying to get nearer to the figure towering before her, facing away. But she knew who that figure was. Her husband.

"And make sure they die on the spot, Lan."

She was taken aback. Who were they? Who were they talking about? What was her husband planning? Lan? Who is this Lan-Lan? Her brain raced at super speed, recalling who was close to her husband, acting as his right hand.

Alan.

Right. Alan Theodore. Her husband's confidant. Could the Lan-Lan they mentioned be Alan?

"Everyone must be silenced, no room for investigation. If possible, eliminate those who take care of Alvin's car."

Larasati's jaw almost dropped. Her mouth hung wide open, and she was about to scream. She quickly covered her mouth tightly. Her eyes widened from shock. Alvin? Her younger brother Alvin? Why? What's going on?

She knew that her husband's relationship with her brother was strained. But over the years, their relationship started to improve. Especially when her husband willingly helped her brother lift Group Azure out of its slump. No words could describe how happy she was to know her husband was willing to put aside his ego. And her brother too. Together... yes, together in her thoughts, rebuilding Group Azure.

"I don't care how Alvin Mehram dies. I also don't care if Rossie is involved. Clear, Alan?"

Her heartbeat raced even faster. Her legs trembled, the ones she was using as support, and she was sinking lower behind the wall where she was hiding. Unconsciously, tears welled up in her eyes. She pressed her hand against her mouth even tighter. She didn't mind struggling to breathe because the words she had just heard had left her breathless.

Was her husband planning murder? On Alvin and Rossie too? Why? Oh God!

"And as for the next target, it's Alvin's child."

Her body began to slump. What did her younger brother do wrong in Alvin’s eyes? What? Tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks.

"I never forget everything Alvin did to me, Alan."

From behind the wall, gathering courage and hugging her knees, she peeked out. Despite her intense fear, she really wanted to reassure herself. Her husband... or someone else who looked like her husband speaking. Because a part of her still denied that it was her husband... the figure standing there.

Speaking with a voice full of assertion, not willing to be contradicted. And a strong sense of revenge, for reasons unknown.

"Starting from Rossie who ended up falling for Alvin. Damn that woman!"

Her hands clenched tightly. So, her husband was still thinking about Rossie until now? All this time? After everything she had done? All the sacrifices she made for him? Was it all in vain? Were the words about trying and learning to accept everything in her life just empty words? Deceptions that played with her mind? Oh God!

"And the accident that made me limp like this. I won't easily forgive that."

There was a brief pause, but it was truly suffocating, adding to the oppressive darkness that accompanied her.

"Kill all of Alvin's descendants. No exceptions. Got it?"

Laras opened her eyes. Her breath was heavy. Sweat flooded her forehead and her whole body trembled. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her breathing spiraled out of control. Her eyes darted around, making absolutely sure that she... was in her room?

Oh God!

She sprung up quickly. She flung the blanket aside with a rather loud noise. Once again, her eyes scanned her room. She sat on the edge of the bed, taking deep breaths in a somewhat long rhythm. She tried to calm herself, occasionally sipping from the glass of water that the servant always left for her.

That dream again.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the recurring dream sink in. It had been a while, maybe the past year, that she hadn't had this terrifying dream. Why was it coming back now? Was it because earlier today she met Fathia? The child she protected from her husband's wrath, from a distance?

Ah... her husband? Just a title that Alef had held onto for her. Even tonight, the man wasn't in her bed. He had been sleeping alone, she didn't want to count or reminisce anymore. Pointless. What Rossie had said about the child, that was the source of normalcy in her life now.

Kenzo Walker.

Who was now in her younger brother's house by her husband's unchallenged command. Supposedly, that house would soon be sold off once the power of Group Azure was in his hands. Her younger brother Akmal couldn't say much, only following all of Alef Walker's orders. Opting for the safest route; working within their limits, not involving themselves too much with Alef. And if Alef took power, maybe a retreat would be the choice for Iklima and her husband.

For them, Alef wanted full control. What could Laras do? Nothing. All her voices were gone. Her courage had been reduced to zero by Alef. Alef often hurled hurtful words at her. So what? Why didn't Laras choose to leave?

No. She chose to stay. Letting Alef do whatever he wanted. She had already sowed the seeds of revenge within her bloodstream. Waiting for the right moment, observing his moves, and watching him without him knowing that she was keeping an eye on him.

Especially when, for the second time, Alef revealed his desire to target Alvin's youngest child. His vengeance had blinded him.

"You know, Laras? I hate Rossie's child, Fathia, the most," he said once. During a dinner event with his other business colleagues.

"Why?" At that time, Laras didn't know about the cruel plan Alef was going to execute against her brother's family.

"Looks just like Rossie. Especially."

Laras was taken aback. She sipped her drink slowly while suppressing the rage that was welling up inside her. "You... still love her?"

Alef gave a sardonic look and a small grin. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

All the woman could do was stay silent.

"Just enjoy it, Ras, whatever's in your life. I assure you, Kenzo and you are safe. Your family won't know who Kenzo truly is." Alef patted his wife's shoulder gently.

His voice was pretty normal, but it sent shivers down Laras's spine. Her eyes were no longer focused on what was in front of her. Then a slight creak of the chair pushed by Alef was heard. The corner of Laras's eye mimicked every inch of Alef's movement as he distanced himself. A smile appeared as he exchanged greetings with the many guests. Laras was left behind.

She wouldn't be allowed to sit there for too long. She had to catch up with her husband. Put on a mask that was exceedingly false just to maintain people's perception of them as a couple. No one could know how dysfunctional their marriage truly was.

Then her mind was dragged back to what Rossie had said.

"Please help me protect Fathia. However, you can, I agree. As long as Fathia is safe. Secure. It's up to you how."

And that's what she was doing now. While secretly collecting evidence without Alef knowing. Allowing Alef to assume his wife was a clueless woman without a backbone. Who loved him unconditionally, even without reciprocation. Who knew nothing except indulgence. Who was visited only when Alef wanted, but Laras could count on her fingers when was the last time Alef had touched her.

And also... willing to be scolded and doubted just because Larasati once disregarded one of Alef's prohibitions: meeting her friend when she didn't know she was pregnant. Alef never believed that Kenzo was his biological child. But Laras could take a little pride in the fact that Kenzo had every right except... affection. Alef was as cold as the winter in Antarctica. Untouchable. His words were orders that both of them had to follow.

Waiting had been enough for her. Waiting for the moment when she could overthrow all of Alef's moves. Including getting back at Alvin, her brother. Also, the regret because she couldn't be as strong as Rossie often advised. And now, she was mustering her courage. Slowly but surely accumulating, even though it wasn't easy.

She didn't know what Alef's heart was made of. How he could bring himself to cause an accident for Alvin and his family. Leaving Fathia all alone with no one to turn to. Want to approach her? No chance. Iklima? She'd rather stay busy with her own affairs than care for Fathia. Oh... and who made the loudest noise about inheritance? Even though she knew that Iklima and Akmal weren't as ruthless as Alef in their actions. They just wanted a bigger share in Group Azure. Living in luxury but working very little.

Taking the deepest breath possible, she filled her lungs with as much oxygen as she could. The conversation earlier in the afternoon ended with her handing over the documents she had been collecting. Including everyone involved in the series of events in her brother's family.

"I'm giving you these documents, Sebastian. But remember, I want full protection for Fathia." Laras was hesitant, but Sebastian was the person closest to Fathia. She didn't doubt Sebastian's methods of protection. Fathia was truly under Sebastian's watchful eye. No one could get to her easily until the time came to lead Group Azure.

Although Laras knew the danger was increasing because Alef was like a predator ready to pounce on a delicious lamb like Fathia.

Sebastian, that man, stared at her intently, full of questions.

"These documents are evidence of Alef's crimes."

A small gasp came from Fathia. Sebastian looked stunned by what she had just presented.

"Don't let Alef breathe free air for too long, Sebastian."

The man raised an eyebrow.

"Make sure Fathia gets all her rights. Be the guardian she deserves, Sebastian."

Right. She had done her part for now. She just had to take care of Clara. She nodded, confirming the plan forming in her mind. She had canceled her meeting with Clara this afternoon because her anger was overpowering. How could this happen? Oh God!

Damn Clara! Laras clenched her fist so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She would prepare a retaliation plan for Clara. Soon, Clara, very soon!