CHAPTER 36: PRS 36

After the father and son had a brief moment to relax, that evening, Demon, who had to return to the country of South Korea, parted ways with his daughter, Isabella Clark, who accompanied him to the airport with a heavy heart.

"Remember to call Daddy when you have time. And keep those people by your side to protect you. Daddy has chosen them very carefully. They are the best of the best," Demon said with a serious but loving gaze.

Isabella smiled gently. "Yes, Daddy. I’ll call you when I’m free. Don’t worry, I’m safe here. Besides, I’m an adult. Daddy, don’t worry too much. I can take care of myself. I’ve learned a lot about protecting myself," she said, trying to reassure her father.

Demon took a deep breath. "Growing up doesn’t mean Daddy stops worrying. You’re still Daddy’s little girl, Bella. The business world is cruel. Especially after you took over some of those big projects. You know, there are many people who don’t want to see you succeed. They’ll do anything to bring you down. Daddy has been in this world too long to know how cruel they can be."

Isabella simply nodded. "I know, Daddy. But I’ll be careful. And I promise, if there’s even the slightest problem, I’ll tell Daddy right away. I won’t be rash. I’ll always think twice before making any important decisions."

Demon stared out the window of his private jet, watching his daughter’s shadow grow distant. His heart felt tight. He knew she was strong, but the world often wasn’t as kind as they hoped. Until the plane completely disappeared into the night, Isabella remained standing on the runway, waving until she was out of sight.

Although initially reluctant to accept the presence of the bodyguards her father had assigned, Isabella realized there was some truth to her concerns. Siva, her personal assistant, had advised her not to be too stubborn.

"Bella, I think it’s good to have extra bodyguards. At least it will make the trip safer. Don’t rely on me alone. I’m not a professional martial artist. If there’s serious danger, I don’t know what to do," Siva said worriedly.

Isabella smiled slightly. "I know, Siva. I’m just not used to having so many people following me around. It feels like I’m constantly being watched. I feel like I can’t move freely. You know I don’t like being restricted, right?"

Siva laughed lightly. "It’s better to be watched than to suddenly be up to no good, right? Besides, your Daddy wouldn’t be at ease if he knew you were walking alone. He’s been missing you for decades, and he certainly doesn’t want to lose you again. I can feel his worry every time he sees you."

Isabella looked at her friend and assistant. "You’re right. Besides, once the collaboration project with Lulass Corporation begins, there will definitely be a lot of envy. Jealous people can be reckless, can’t they? They can do unexpected things. I’ve heard several stories about young entrepreneurs being attacked because of their success."

Siva nodded firmly. "That’s right. The business world isn’t just about numbers, but also about security. You have to be more vigilant. Especially since your project is worth billions of rupiah. There will definitely be many who want to take advantage of it."

"Okay," Isabella said finally. "Then, I’ll let them keep looking after me. But you also need to rest, Siva. I don’t want you to work continuously without a break. You must take four days off a month, whether you want to pay them in installments or all at once. That’s an order from me as your boss. And don’t even try to argue."

Siva initially refused, but Isabella looked at him firmly. "No ifs or buts. I’m human, and so are you. If you keep working without a break, you’ll get sick. I don’t want to lose you, understand? You’re very valuable to me, not just as an assistant, but also as a friend. You’re one of the people I trust most in this world."

Siva couldn’t help but smile with emotion. "Okay, Bella. If that’s a direct order from the big boss, I’ll obey. Thank you for caring about me. I promise to take good care of my health."

Meanwhile, far away, Margaret was still in shock after hearing the news that Revan, her son, had died in a prison fight. The unhealed emotional wound was shaken again when she saw the news on social media.

On her phone screen, a news story flashed with a blurred photo. The headline read: "Young Woman’s Body Found on the Outskirts of XX City, Suspected Murder Victim."

Margaret read the news quickly, her heart pounding. The victim’s description: a woman around 20 years old, with long brown hair, and the initials S.

"It can’t be... it can’t be you, Scarlet... God, please don’t take my other child. Please, not Scarlet too," she whispered in fear, her hands shaking violently.

Her hands trembled as she dialed the number listed on the news—the City XX police station. Her voice barely came out as she spoke to the officer.

"Excuse me, sir... I want to ask about the discovery of a woman’s body on the outskirts of town. I... I think it’s my child. Please, I beg your help. I’ve already lost one child, I can’t bear to lose another," her voice choked.

The officer on the other end answered cautiously. "Can you come in person for an identification? We found some personal items at the crime scene; perhaps you can help confirm the victim’s identity. This is our standard procedure. We really need the family’s help with identification."

Margaret’s tears fell. "Okay, I’ll come tomorrow. Please... take care of the body. Don’t let it get damaged. It could be my child. Please treat it well."

After hanging up, Siska couldn’t stop crying. She wanted to get to the capital immediately, but it would cost a lot of money. She tried calling her husband, Joseph Mahendra, but he didn’t answer.

"Where else is that man? Could he be with that woman again? Shameless! His child might be dead, and he still has time to have fun!" she muttered angrily, clenching her fists.

With a pounding heart, she ordered an online taxi and headed straight to her husband’s business. Upon arrival, the security guard tried to stop her.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Margaret, Mr. Joseph is having an important meeting on the second floor. He must not be disturbed. It’s an order from Mr. Joseph himself—"

But Margaret was already briskly walking away, unconcerned. "I’m his wife! I have a right to know what he’s doing there! Don’t try to stop me! I’ve had enough of these lies!" she snapped angrily.

As soon as she reached the second floor, she stopped. She heard laughter and... sighs. Her face flushed with anger.

"No way... he couldn’t be this bold... In his own office..."

Hurting, she kicked the door hard. "Bang!"

His eyes widened. Before him, Joseph was lying naked on the sofa, and on top of him was a young woman, his secretary, Anne.

"Joseph!! What are you doing?! You’re shameless! In the office! Have you lost your mind?! Our child might be dead, and you’re here having fun?!"

But Anne just turned with a sneer, then twisted again, feigning indifference.

"Honey, don’t stop... we’re almost there... Don’t worry about him... He’s no longer important..." Anne moaned mockingly, making Joseph lose his train of thought.

"Stop, you guys!! Don’t you have a conscience?! No feelings?! Our child might be dead!" Margaret screamed hysterically, grabbing a flower vase from the table and hitting Anne hard on the head.

"Arghh! You’re crazy!" Anne screamed as blood poured from her temple.

Joseph got up in anger. "You’re insane, Margaret! How dare you hurt my people in my own office! You’ve gone too far! You have no right to do this!"

He grabbed his wife by the hair and dragged her roughly out of the room. "You damn woman! I’m sick of you! You’re useless! You only bring trouble!"

"Let go of me, Joseph! I’m your wife! We’re legally married! I’m the mother of your children!"

"Not anymore! I’m sick of your face! I’m sick of everything!" Joseph snapped, then brutally pushed Margaret to the floor.

"Arghhh!! It hurts! Joseph, you’re cruel!" Margaret screamed in pain. Her head hit the corner of the stairs, blood gushing out.

But Joseph didn’t care. He went back inside and locked the door, continuing his actions with Anne, who was still gasping for breath.

"You damn man... God, how could I have chosen him in the first place... I was blind..." Margaret sobbed softly as she struggled to her feet. She limped down the stairs, while the guards just looked down, not daring to approach.

One of them whispered, "Poor Mrs. Margaret... but if we help, we’ll just get fired. We need work too. Our families need food too."

Margaret limped out of the building. She called another taxi and headed home. Inside the car, she stared out the window with blank eyes.

"Everyone’s abandoned me... Revan’s dead, Scarlet’s nowhere to be found, Joseph’s betrayed me... is this retribution for everything I did? Is God punishing me? Why is all this happening to me?"

She sobbed loudly, her chest feeling tight. "Is this karma, God? Is this retribution for throwing Arlina out of my house? I abused her and never treated her well." Images of the past flashed through her mind, when she had rudely thrown out her daughter-in-law, Arlina, and forced Revan to marry Olivia. At the time, she felt victorious. Now, everything was gone.

"It’s all over... It’s too late... I can’t change anything..." she muttered softly. "I’ve lost everything... There’s nothing left..."

The taxi continued down the deserted road. The driver, who had initially been calm, suddenly panicked as the brakes failed.

"Ma’am! The brakes are failing! I can’t stop this car! Oh my God!" she screamed in panic.

"What?! Stop this car! Please! I don’t want to die!"

"I can’t! The car is out of control! The brakes aren’t working at all!"

In a panic, the driver jumped out of the car, leaving the car hurtling out of control.

Margaret could only close her eyes. "If this is my end... let me join my children... I have no reason to live anymore..."

A loud bang rang out. The car crashed into a large tree on the side of the road. The glass shattered into pieces, and everything went dark.

Margaret’s body was crushed, blood streaming down her cheek. With her last breath, she whispered softly, "Perhaps... this is the end of my karma. Forgive me, Arlina..."