Harold was in a meeting with the public relations team when Lilia called him. After their conversation ended, Harold stared blankly at his cellphone screen.
This afternoon Jean Widjaya picked up Lilia from the police station. Later tonight Lilia called him from an unknown number and gave him the man's home address. Could it be that Lilia and Jean had a more intimate relationship than he thought?
"So, thanks to an official statement from the police, public opinion has shifted in our favor. We need to take advantage of this situation and restore our reputation… Harold, are you listening?"
The head of the public relations team called out to Harold, who was still deep in thought.
"Yes, yes, I heard. We need to clear Lilia's good name, right." Harold said without looking up from the phone screen.
The team's leader just sighed and continued his words.
Twenty minutes later, Harold left the room as soon as the meeting ended. Before leaving, he advised the public relations team to contact journalists they knew. He promised some hot news they could get at the hospital in the morning.
*****
Lilia returned Jean's cellphone and thanked the man. She immediately stood up to return to the room, but Jean's deep voice stopped her in her tracks.
"How are you going to solve this problem?"
Lilia turned to him, "The source of all this commotion is the false information from Sara. I'm just going to ask her to retract her words." She answered while playing the ends of her long hair.
"Hmm…" Jean muttered without looking up from the laptop screen, "I will help you." His voice was light, as if he was just talking about tomorrow's weather. Still, Lilia knew that behind those words was hidden the great influence of the Widjaya Family.
"Wait ... what do you mean?" Lilia had a bad feeling about this.
"I have prepared all the evidence against that woman and called the best lawyers. I've also told prosecutors and judges I know that you don't need to be present at the trial." Jean calmly answered.
Lilia was stunned to hear that, but Jean wasn't done yet, "That woman will be forced to pay around ten billion in fine, but if you feel that amount is still not enough, I can raise it to..."
"Jean! Stop! Wait a minute!" Lilia raised her voice and managed to stop the man's words.
"Is there something wrong?" Jean raised an eyebrow.
"Listen to me carefully, Jean Widjaya! I don't need your help, okay?" Lilia suppressed her anger and tried to speak as calmly as possible, "I'm not a clueless child. I know you mean fine, but I can handle trivial matters like this. Why would I kill a chicken with a butcher knife?"
Jean frowned, "You think about this problem until you can't sleep at night, and you still call it a trivial matter?"
"Uh…" Lilia couldn't tell him that she couldn't sleep well thinking about that man, "But you heard me calling my manager earlier, right? I already have my own plans, so trust me and let me take care of this."
Jean looked at her doubtfully without saying a word.
Lilia sighed, "If I can't handle it, I'll ask your help. I promise." Lilia said earnestly.
Jean could see the seriousness in Lilia's voice. With a heavy heart, he let her get what he wanted. Jean knew his fiancée was stubborn, but Lilia was the first person who could make him give in like this.
"Thank you, Jean! I will resolve this matter properly, you will see!" Lilia smiled confidently, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Lilia's stubborn yet confident appearance provoked a smile to appear on Jean's face. His expression turned soft, as if he was staring at something very precious.
Lilia's heart skipped a beat when she saw that rare smile.
"I-I'm going to sleep now. Good night!"
Lilia turned around and ran out of there. That smile was not good for her heart!
*****
The next day, at 10 am at the most reputable hospital in the city of Surabaya, the sound of the knocking of high heels echoed through the hospital hallway.
The owner of the shoe was wearing a white blouse with a tight dark blue skirt. Lilia's appearance stood out among the hospital staff's uniforms.
"After we turn left in the hallway, room number 703 is on the right." Harold, who was walking beside her, gave an explanation.
Lilia's lips curved into a big smile, "Let's finish this."
The two of them headed to the patient room they were looking for. Lilia's black hair fell loose and swayed with each step, catching the eyes of everyone who passed them.
When they arrived outside room 703, they could hear Sara's spoiled voice clearly, "Will, I'm sorry you stayed here to take care of me all night."
"It's okay, I'm not calm when other people take care of you."
Lilia was disgusted by those words. William was clearly an expert in sweet-talking.
Sara's voice sounded increasingly spoiled, "You don't have to worry about me. Aren't you having interviews for two magazines this afternoon? Don't be late!"
"I've canceled it. I can't possibly leave you here alone…"
Lilia decided that she didn't want to hear the rest of their conversation and immediately slid the room's door open.
"Excuse me!" Lilia cut their sweet talk without a trace of guilt, "The door isn't locked, so you don't mind if I let myself in, right?" She asked casually.
William and Sara stared at Lilia in surprise. For a moment, the room was silent.
Sara was the first to recover from the shock. The woman wearing the hospital gown sat leaning back on the bed. One of her legs was bandaged and supported so she couldn't move, "Oh, Lilia! You came to visit me? Of course, I don't mind! Please come in!" Sara said with a kind smile.
Lilia felt that Sara should be the only actress with these amazing acting skills. She walked in followed by Harold, who was carrying a bouquet of white lilies.
The strong scent of lilies filled the room, driving away the smell of hospital disinfectant.
Lilia could feel William's eyes continuing to fix on her, but she ignored him. Lilia stopped beside Sara's bed and began to survey the contents of this hospital room.
The private room was equipped with various modern medical equipment that occasionally made strange noises. Wreaths of different shapes lined the wall opposite Sara's bed.
Then Lilia met Sara's eyes, staring intensely at the woman who was hiding poison behind her innocent gaze.