Unpredictable Betrayal : A Sweet of Revenge

Alden had just finished showering. As soon as he heard the phone ringing, he hurriedly ran towards the nightstand. Lately, he had always been enthusiastic when his phone rang.

Often, Alden hoped it was Aurora calling him, although the likelihood was very slim.

When he checked, Asher’s name was clearly displayed on the phone screen. Realizing that this was an important call, he quickly answered.

“Alden, where are you?” Without even saying hello, Asher immediately asked, ensuring once again where Alden was currently located.

“I’m still at the apartment. Why, Ash?”

“Can you come meet me right now?”

“Meet you?” Alden repeated. His brow furrowed with curiosity as to where Asher was inviting him to meet. From the tone of his voice, Alden guessed the man seemed to be in a hurry.

“Yes. Come meet me at the place we discussed before.”

Alden nodded. He understood what Asher meant. It seemed that Aurora’s brother was indeed inviting him to meet at one of the restaurants where their mother attended her social gatherings.

“To the restaurant, right?”

“Yes.”

While holding his phone, Alden reflexively nodded.

“Okay. I’ll get ready now and head there right away. Maybe I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”

“In that case, see you at the event venue.”

Once the call was ended, Alden hurriedly got ready. He put on some casual clothes, then grabbed his car keys to quickly join Asher at the agreed-upon location.

Because it was nearby, Alden arrived first. Just as he got out of the car, apparently, his mother spotted him.

“Alden.” Zendaya called out. The middle-aged woman approached with two other friends.

“Why are you here? Are you coming to see Mama or what?”

Alden shook his head. He gave his answer, “I have plans to meet a friend at this restaurant.”

“Where’s your friend?” Zendaya looked around. Alden glanced around too. Afterwards, he concluded that Asher hadn’t arrived at the restaurant yet.

“It seems he hasn’t arrived.”

Zendaya nodded.

“Well, just come in with Mama first. When your friend arrives, then you can go meet him.”

“Okay, Alden,” said Zendaya’s other friends. “Just come in. Join Auntie and your mom’s other friends. Some of them have brought their daughters too. Who knows, you might want to get to know them.”

“Let’s go in,” Zendaya urged again.

Actually, Alden was very reluctant to join. Imagining himself engaging in small talk, especially being introduced to new people, not to mention being asked various questions, made him tired just thinking about it. But, because his mother begged him and he didn’t want to seem rude, Alden reluctantly followed his mother inside.

Fortunately, a few minutes later, Asher finally arrived at the restaurant. What surprised Alden was that his coworker brought along someone who had been the cause of trouble and turmoil that damaged his relationship with Aurora.

“Aunt Savana?”

Alden murmured. He observed how boldly Asher sought the attention of everyone gathered in the restaurant. Then, firmly calling out, he asked Savana to come over.

“To the socialite ladies gathered here,” Asher requested everyone to focus on him.

“Beforehand, I heard that Mrs. Savana had been spreading unpleasant rumors about Aurora Harperwood, who is my sister. So, Mrs. Savana here has been throwing wild assumptions to the public and accusing and defaming Aurora in various ways. Therefore, today I will ask all of you here to listen to the actual truth.”

Asher then turned to Savana. Smiling, he invited her to speak to everyone.

“Please. Tell them what Mrs. Savana should say.”

Savana remained silent for a moment. Swallowing hard, she observed the people around who now seemed focused and eagerly waiting for what she wanted to say.

“Come on!” Asher urged when Savana still didn’t speak. “Or do you want to go straight to the police station, Mrs. Savana?”

Savana quickly shook her head. Her position was indeed precarious at the moment. Asher held control over her. If she didn’t comply, she was already given two options. Jail or a mental hospital?

Savana was doomed!

The thought of going to jail made Savana afraid. At the same time, she took a deep breath, then lifted her face and spoke to everyone.

“Before… I did tell you about Aurora, who was my daughter-in-law for two years. That’s true. But, the rumors about Aurora being divorced because she was barren and even leaving debts behind, those are completely false.”

“So, for what reason did Mrs. Savana’s child and Aurora divorce?”

One of the arisan members, curious, asked. The others were also eager, waiting for an answer.

“Come on, Mrs. Savana, answer!” Asher impatiently commanded.

“Because of infidelity,” Savana replied softly.

“Who cheated? Aurora or Alex?”

Asher stared sharply. His gaze seemed to threaten to tear Savana’s body apart if she answered carelessly or not in line with the truth.

“Alex,” she murmured, head bowed.

“How many times did Alex cheat? And who facilitated this infidelity?”

Savana took a deep breath and reluctantly answered.

“I asked Alex’s secretary to deliberately seduce him and become his mistress.”

The restaurant patrons immediately buzzed upon hearing Savana’s statement. They were surprised to learn the extent of the misconduct of the single mother.

“So…” Asher continued. “Mrs. Savana’s child was caught cheating with his secretary twice by Aurora. Not only that, during their marriage, Alex also often used company funds for his revelries. Is that correct, Mrs. Savana?” Asher asked, turning to the bowed Savana.

“Y-yes.”

“And then, about being barren, who is actually barren and unable to have children?”

Reluctantly, Savana conveyed another fact to the people in front of her. Though deeply ashamed, she had no other choice.

“According to the doctor’s examination, Alex is the one who is barren and has difficulty having children. Not Aurora. And it’s Alex who has a lot of debt.”

Whispers immediately ensued. Almost everyone gathered scoffed at Savana’s actions.

“What about the slander Mrs. Savana accused me and my mother of?”

Alden, who had been listening, finally spoke up. Since the elderly woman was confessing her sins, he took the opportunity to clear his and his mother’s names.

“T-that…”

“What is it, Aunt Savana? Please tell everyone that your accusations weren’t true.”

Savana nodded. It seemed futile to deny now.

“Yes. Everything I accused Zendaya and her daughter of is 100% untrue. I did all of this solely out of spite and jealousy, not wanting to see Aurora happy with someone else. I couldn’t accept her taking all the wealth I had. That’s why I wanted to make her suffer.”

“Is that all?” Alden confirmed.

Savana nodded again.

“Actually, I don’t have any personal issues with Zendaya and her family. Honestly, I did all of this just because I didn’t want to see Aurora with another man and living happily. That’s why I kept spreading rumors so that no one would pity or empathize with her.”

Alden shook his head, unable to comprehend the evil Savana had done. He glanced and found his mother looking relieved at Savana’s clarification.

“Zendaya…” one of the arisan participants called out, approaching and even giving her a hug. “Sorry if I was influenced by Savana’s words.”

“I apologize too,” added another.

“Yes, we all apologize. Actually, we didn’t believe Savana’s nonsense either. Besides, how could a wealthy person like you sell your own child for business purposes?”

Again, Alden shook his head at the hypocrisy of the women he had considered so judgmental. Yet yesterday, they had slandered him and his mother. Now, without knowing, they changed their tune and seemed to be licking boots.

Meanwhile, Asher, believing all the problems were resolved, then escorted Savana to another place. Instead of going to the police station, he took the middle-aged woman under the supervision of officers to Rayyen’s office.

“Mrs. Savana,” Asher called when they arrived and were now sitting face to face. Rayyen and the officers were also present.

“Since you are willing to cooperate, I will make you a good offer.”

Savana looked up, anxiously wondering what kind of offer Asher would make. Surely, she prayed it wasn’t jail that he offered her.

“Since I’m not sure if you’ll keep your word 100%, after this, Mrs. Savana, you won’t need to stay in Indonesia anymore.”

Savana’s brow furrowed immediately.

“What do you mean?”

“Information from Aurora, Mrs. Savana has a large family in Turkey and Qatar, right? So, I offer Mrs. Savana to move there.”

“Move abroad?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Asher nodded.

“Rather than me telling you to stay in jail or a mental hospital, Mrs. Savana, which one do you choose?”

“B-but… what about Alex? How could I leave him alone here?”

Asher responded calmly to Savana’s recent concerns.

“You’re free to take him or not. Don’t worry, I’ll cover all his accommodation costs. As a bonus, Aurora has also left money for Mrs. Savana to live there for several months. The rest, you can find on your own. How’s that? I’m being very generous, aren’t I?”

Savana couldn’t think. Choosing was also difficult. Instead of going to jail, she reluctantly agreed to the offer.

“Fine, I agree.”

“In that case, please sign this agreement letter.” Rayyen handed over a document. He gave Savana a pen to sign it.

“It says here that if Mrs. Savana returns to Indonesia or engages in any misconduct again, I will demand compensation and Mrs. Savana will be imprisoned for a considerable period. And here, the police officers and my lawyer will act as witnesses.”

Savana obediently nodded. Like a lion losing its fangs, she complied with all of Asher’s requests. She signed the agreement letter right then and there, resigning herself to her fate thereafter.