[63]

Rebecca sat in her office with a sharp gaze. In front of her, a man in a neat suit but looking nervous stood up while handing over a thick file. The man, one of Rebecca's confidants, sighed before speaking.

“Mrs. Rebecca, this is all the information we managed to gather about the woman living in Mr. Damian's mansion,” he said in a careful tone.

Rebecca opened the file and began to read carefully. Inside were photos of Miya walking in the garden with Hera and Kayoko, Miya looking happy while holding her growing belly, even some medical reports from the doctor who handled her pregnancy. Rebecca's face turned red, her eyes widened in anger.

“Pregnancy? So this is the reason he's so protective of that woman?” her voice raised, making the man in front of her look down even deeper.

“Yes, ma'am. That woman is pregnant. The doctor is Dr. Hana from the specialty clinic downtown,” the man replied in an almost whispered tone.

Rebecca slammed the file onto the table. “Damian never told me anything about this! And this woman... Miya... who is she? Why did Damian have to involve himself in this woman's life?!”

The man was silent, not daring to answer. Rebecca stood up from her wheelchair with the help of Kate, her loyal assistant. Her face was full of emotion, while her hands were clenched tightly.

“Damian has always kept all of his affairs close to me. But this time, he really crossed the line!” Rebecca shouted, making the servants outside the room exchange glances with fearful faces.

Kate, who was standing near Rebecca, tried to calm her mistress down. “Madam, you must calm down. Your anger won't solve anything. We must think with a cool head.”

Rebecca gave Kate a sharp look. “Cool head? How can I be calm when Damian chooses to protect this woman over thinking of his own family?”

Kate sighed. “Precisely because of that, we must be careful. All your actions must be planned. Don't let Mr. Damian get further away because of a misstep.”

Rebecca gave Kate a long look before finally nodding slowly. “You are right. I must not be rash. But I won't let that woman continue to hide behind Damian's protection.”

***

That day, Rebecca tried to contact Damian many times. However, every call she made ended with a dial tone that was never picked up. The longer it went on, the redder Rebecca's face became. Her hands trembled as she slammed her cell phone onto the table.

“He's not answering! Even after I tried more than ten times!” she shouted in frustration.

Kate approached, bringing a cup of tea to calm Rebecca down. “Maybe Mr. Damian is busy. You know, his situation must not be easy.”

“Busy?” Rebecca laughed sarcastically. “He's too busy protecting that woman! You see, even getting close to his mansion is impossible. The security there is too tight. It's all just for Miya!”

Kate remained calm even though Rebecca's voice echoed in the room. “Madam, I understand your anger. But perhaps it's time you took a different approach. Don't make Mr. Damian feel even more like you're his enemy.”

Rebecca snorted, but she couldn't deny the truth in Kate's words. She took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. “Alright. I'll wait for the right time. But I won't stay silent. I'll make sure Damian knows who's really on his side.”

Later that evening, Leonard appeared in Rebecca's study with a limp. His face still showed the scars and bruises from his captivity. However, his sly smile never disappeared.

“Rebecca, you seem angrier than usual. What happened?” he asked in a mocking tone while sitting on the sofa.

Rebecca gave him a sharp look. “You know what happened, Leonard. It's all because of that woman. Damian even tightened the guard at his mansion just to protect her.”

Leonard chuckled, though his every movement seemed to hurt. “Ah, Damian has always been like that. He always feels the need to protect what he thinks is his. But you know, Rebecca, this could be an advantage for you.”

Rebecca squinted. “What do you mean?”

Leonard leaned back on the sofa, his face full of guile. “That woman, Miya, she's the key. If you want to regain control of Damian, you have to know how to capitalize on this situation. Damian will never forgive anyone who hurts Miya, but... if you can make him see that you are his ally, you can regain his trust.”

Rebecca looked at Leonard suspiciously. “And what do you propose?”

Leonard smiled faintly. “I'm just making a suggestion. That woman is pregnant, isn't she? You know what that means. She's Damian's biggest weakness right now. But don't rush into things. Find out more about her. Make sure all the information you get is correct.”

Rebecca thought for a moment, trying to digest Leonard's words. “You want me to use that woman as a tool?”

Leonard nodded slowly. “Of course. You want Damian to trust you again, don't you? Then show him that you can be the person he needs.”

Rebecca looked at Leonard with a mixture of hatred and admiration. The man was cunning, but she couldn't ignore the logic behind his words. “I won't take the risk of making Damian hate me even more. But I will make sure that I know everything about that woman.”

Leonard smiled broadly. “That's a smart move. And who knows, maybe I can help you with this too. After all, I have every reason to make Damian pay for what he did to me.”

Rebecca let out a long sigh, but finally nodded. “Alright. Let's see what we can do. But remember, Leonard, I will not tolerate mistakes. If your plan makes me lose Damian forever, you will regret it.”

Leonard chuckled, despite the pain in his voice. “You're always full of threats, Rebecca. But don't worry, I know what I'm doing.”

Rebecca's overflowing anger made the atmosphere in her house tense. The servants moved with caution, trying not to provoke their mistress's anger. Kate was the only one who dared to approach Rebecca and try to calm her down.

“Mistress, you must remain calm,” Kate said gently as she helped Rebecca into her room. “Everything you do now will affect your relationship with Mr. Damian.”

Rebecca massaged her temples, trying to ease her anger. “I know, Kate. But I can't accept that Damian chose that woman over me. I'm his wife. I should be his priority.”

Kate looked at Rebecca with understanding. “And that's what you need to show him, ma'am. That you are his ally, not his enemy.”

Rebecca nodded slowly. She knew Kate was right. But in her heart, she still felt hurt and betrayed. However, one thing was certain: she would not let the woman named Miya ruin her life. With Leonard's help, she began to devise a plan that would prove she was a wife worthy of Damian's trust.

Rebecca knew that her next move would decide everything. And this time, she would make no mistake. With a calmer mind, she began to devise a strategy to deal with the situation, while Leonard, with all his cunning, was ready to seize every opportunity to create chaos. The tension continued to build, but Rebecca was confident that, in the end, she would win this game.

Rebecca sat in her wheelchair, her eyes piercing. Leonard's sudden arrival, plus the full report on Miya, sent her mind into turmoil. She couldn't stop thinking about the woman - the one who was now the center of Damian's attention. Anger burned in his chest, making the servants in his house even more vigilant not to make the slightest mistake. However, in the midst of the chaos, Kate, his trusted assistant, stood calmly by his side.

Kate placed a cup of hot tea on the small table beside Rebecca. “Madam, you've been angry all day. This tea might ease your mind a little,” she said in a soft voice.

Rebecca snorted, her hands clenched on the arms of the wheelchair. “How am I supposed to calm down, Kate? Damian's never been like this before. He didn't even answer my phone. He chose that woman and put her in a heavily guarded mansion! What was he thinking?”

Kate pulled out a chair and sat opposite Rebecca, her gaze full of understanding. “I understand your anger, Madam. But I don't think this is the time to act rashly. You still have an important role to play in Mr. Damian's life. Remember, you are his wife. Your position is more powerful than any woman's.”

Rebecca turned her face away, but her tone of voice began to soften. “An important role? What's the point if he doesn't appreciate me? That woman carried his child. She even brought his mother to live with them in the mansion! What am I, just a name on a family card?”

Kate leaned forward, trying to get Rebecca's attention. “Madam, I know this situation is difficult. But precisely because that woman is pregnant, you have a reason to stay by Mr. Damian's side. That pregnancy is an opportunity for you. Don't let your anger destroy your position.”

Rebecca gave Kate a sharp look. “Opportunity? You mean I'm supposed to take all of this for granted? I'm supposed to stand by and watch Damian adore another woman? No, Kate. I will not stand by. I will make that woman pay dearly for taking my husband.”

Kate took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. “Madam, I'm not asking you to take everything for granted. But, your actions must be well thought out. If you act rashly, it will only worsen your relationship with Mr. Damian. Remember, you still have control over this situation.”

Rebecca was silent for a moment, her eyes staring blankly at the window. Outside, the sky was darkening, as if reflecting her somber mood. Kate continued in a soft but firm voice. “Mr. Damian is a smart man, but he is also a man who values loyalty. If you show that you are on his side, even in this situation, he will see your value.”

Rebecca snorted again, but this time in a softer tone. “Loyalty? Damian didn't even give me a chance to show that. He was busy protecting that woman as if she were treasure.”

Kate looked at Rebecca empathetically. “And that's why you need to be smart about your moves. That woman may be the center of attention now, but you still have the power to control the situation. Use her pregnancy as an excuse to approach Mr. Damian. Show him that you care, not just as a wife, but also as someone who wants to support him.”

Rebecca bit her lip, her mind wrestling between anger and logic. Kate stood up and walked over, placing a hand on Rebecca's shoulder. “Madam, I don't want you to regret the decision you made. You are the wife of Mr. Damian Sawyer. That position is not something that can be replaced easily.”

Rebecca let out a long breath, but then her eyes narrowed. “Kate, I appreciate your advice. But I can't just stay silent. I must make that woman understand her position. Damian is mine, and I won't let anyone take him away from me.”

Kate nodded slowly, even though she knew Rebecca had not fully listened to her advice. “Yes, ma'am. If that's your decision, I just hope you're careful. You don't want your actions to drive Mr. Damian away.”

Rebecca didn't answer, but her face showed unwavering determination. Kate could only hope that Rebecca's anger would not blind her logic completely.

****

That morning, Rebecca sat in the living room with a sour face. Leonard appeared with a sly smile on his face, although the scars on his body were still clearly visible. The man took a seat opposite Rebecca, without showing the slightest respect.

“Rebecca, you seem very agitated,” he said in a mocking tone. “Is it because of the young woman living in Damian's mansion? Or is it because Damian doesn't consider you important anymore?”

Rebecca gave Leonard a sharp look. “Don't start, Leonard. I don't need your mockery right now.”

Leonard chuckled, then leaned back in his chair. “I'm just stating the facts. Damian takes protecting that woman very seriously. Even I've never seen him act like this before. You know what that means, don't you?”

Rebecca gritted her teeth. “Damian is only obsessed because she's carrying his child. That doesn't mean anything.”

Leonard raised his eyebrows. “Really? In that case, why did he put a heavy guard on the mansion? Why did he bring his mother to live there? It wasn't just an obsession, Rebecca. It was a statement that she was more important than you.”

“Shut up!” Rebecca shouted, her voice echoing in the room. The servants who heard immediately moved away, afraid of becoming the target of her anger. Kate, who was standing by the door, could only sigh softly.

Leonard smiled slightly, satisfied at Rebecca's reaction. “You know I'm right. But don't worry, I'm here to help you. We can work together to take back control from Damian.”

Rebecca gave Leonard a hateful look. “I don't believe you, Leonard. Everything you say will only drive me further away from Damian.”

Leonard brought his body closer, his voice lower but full of manipulation. “Rebecca, you have no other choice. If you want to get Damian back, you must act now. That woman must be eliminated before she completely takes your place.”

Rebecca was silent, her mind racing. She knew Leonard couldn't be trusted, but his words held a truth that she found hard to ignore. Kate, who heard the conversation from a distance, felt the need to intervene.

Kate stepped forward and said firmly, “Madam, please rethink. Don't let Leonard influence your decision. He's only using this situation for his own benefit.”

Leonard snorted. “You're just an assistant. Don't interfere in big affairs like this.”

Kate gave Leonard a sharp look. “I may only be an assistant, but I care about Mrs. Rebecca. And I won't let you drag her into your devious plans.”

Rebecca raised her hand, asking both of them to be quiet. She looked at Leonard coldly. “I'll decide for myself what to do. But don't think I'll just go along with your plan, Leonard.”

Leonard smiled slyly. “Of course, Rebecca. I'm just making a suggestion. The choice remains yours.”

Kate looked at Rebecca expectantly. “Madam, you know what's right. Don't let your anger ruin everything.”

Rebecca let out a long sigh, but her face remained determined. She knew that she had to be careful, but her anger and sense of betrayal made it difficult for her to think clearly.