Episode 11

"Zo-Zora!" Dimas exclaimed, looking shocked in Aozora's direction.

"Oh, you know Zora?" Amber feigned ignorance.

"Um, she is..."

"She's my ex-fiancee, Mom!" Aozora interjected quickly.

Aozora appeared stoic in front of the man who had almost become her husband. Deep down, however, she couldn't deny her feelings for him, remembering the sweet memories they had shared over the years.

"Mom?" Dimas muttered, confused.

"Why does she call Auntie 'Mom'?" Dimas looked questioningly at Amber.

"Well, why not? Isn't it right for a daughter-in-law to call her mother-in-law 'mom'?" Amber smiled slyly.

"Daughter-in-law? Auntie, stop joking! Arsenio couldn't possibly be married already, could he?" Dimas shook his head in disbelief because as far as he knew, his cousin was still in a coma.

"What's so impossible? Arsen is indeed married to Zora as of yesterday. They're legally wed," Amber rummaged through her bag and pulled out a document. Then she showed it to Dimas. The woman had deliberately brought the marriage certificate between her son and Aozora, certain that Dimas wouldn't believe it.

Dimas was completely immobilized upon seeing the evidence shown by his Aunt. He glanced at Aozora, whose gaze was indecipherable to him. There was hate, hurt, and love—all mingled together in the eyes of the woman who had nearly become his wife.

"Damn! So the paralyzed man Tsania mentioned, the one Aozora is marrying to settle a debt, is Arsenio? Why didn't she reveal who the man was?" Dimas cursed to himself, irked by the woman soon to become his wife. "This cannot be! I must sway Aunt Amber," Dimas thought determinedly.

"Auntie, why were you so hasty in marrying Arsenio to this woman? She must be after the fortune if she's willing to marry Arsenio, especially since she failed to marry me, undoubtedly bitter and seeking revenge. She's a cunning woman, Auntie!" Dimas began trying to influence Amber.

"Enough, Dimas! No need to slander Zora, for she is now the wife of your cousin. So you must respect her, just as you would respect Arsen!" Amber declared firmly, silencing Dimas’s protests.

"Oh, your aunt and Zora came to tell you that Zora will be replacing you until Arsen recovers. You can return to your former position then!"

Dimas's eyes widened in shock as he processed the older woman's statement. "Aunt, it can't be! She is not our family. You can't possibly give her the highest position in the company!" Dimas tried to protest.

"She's not an outsider anymore. She's Arsen's wife now. Her place is the same as mine in the Pramana family!" Amber clarified.

"But, Auntie! She..."

"No buts! My decision is final and beyond dispute!" Amber interrupted sharply.

"Once I needed your help because Arsen couldn't lead the company given his condition, but now that Arsen has a wife, let her lead." Amber added.

"But she can’t possibly manage such a big company, Auntie! It will go bankrupt!" Dimas was still in disbelief.

"Why not? Have you forgotten that I once managed my late mother's company after your fiancee snatched it with deceit?" Aozora spoke up, not standing for Dimas's disparagement.

"Hey, be quiet!" Dimas raised his voice.

"Don’t yell at my daughter-in-law, Dimas!" Amber’s voice also rose.

"Haven’t I told you to respect her?" the middle-aged woman continued.

"Aunt, please reconsider this decision! Don't let the company be destroyed because of her!" Dimas pointed an accusatory finger at Aozora.

"Dimas! LOWER YOUR HAND!" Amber shouted, and he reluctantly complied.

"You don’t have to worry about that, Niko will assist!" Amber pointed at Niko, who had silently observed the altercation.

"Don’t think I'm unaware of your frequent absences from work or your misuse of company funds for personal luxuries," Amber elaborated without pause.

Stunned, Dimas hadn't anticipated Amber being aware of these indiscretions. He was now at a loss for words.

"Technically, I could report you to the police given these acts of corruption, but I have a heart, remembering we're family. However, business is business. So while I graciously won't remove you from the company just yet, you will return to your prior position as per our agreement," Amber concluded definitively.

"Now, please leave and return to your old office!" Amber commanded, yet the man remained motionless.

Amber then looked to Niko.

"Niko, I trust you to assist Aozora with acclimating and learning the ropes of managing this company," she said. Niko nodded in agreement.

"With that, I'll take my leave. Remember to support my daughter-in-law! And you, Dimas, clear your things from that desk because Zora will take over!" Turning to Aozora, the sharpness morphed into a soft gaze.

"I'm heading home now, dear. Let me know if anyone treats you poorly!" Amber's strong voice softened when addressing her daughter-in-law.

"Yes, Mom. Don't worry, I can handle it," Aozora replied confidently.

"Niko, please escort your aunt downstairs," Amber walked out with Niko trailing behind, not for lack of independence but to discuss something with her son's personal assistant.

"So, it turns out you're quite the schemer, aren't you, Zora?" Dimas sneered at Aozora after ensuring that the aunt and personal assistant had indeed left.

"Please take your belongings from this room. I want to sit down!" Aozora chose not to respond to Dimas's insinuations.

"Ha, such arrogance! Remember, you're just a woman fit to be exploited, and I'm certain you're just a pawn used by my aunt. I assure you that you won't last long in this company. Once Arsenio wakes, you'll be discarded—as the woman he truly loves is Hanum. Arsenio can't live without Hanum, remember that!" Dimas said scornfully as he started to leave the CEO's office.

"Hanum?" Aozora murmured as she stood frozen, watching Dimas until he vanished behind the door.

To be continued...

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***