Chapter 11

The Zea Production building had not looked this alive in the past seven years. A red carpet stretched across the lobby—not to welcome party guests, but for a press conference that had sparked the curiosity of the entire creative industry across the country. On a small, elegant stage, a large film poster remained covered with black velvet cloth, creating an intense aura of mystery.

Serena stood behind the stage, straightening her striking maroon blazer. The color symbolized courage, passion, and blood. She no longer looked like the woman who had nearly lost her life on the sidewalk a year ago. Today, she was the architect of a story, ready to unveil her masterpiece.

“Ma’am, all media outlets are here. Dewangga has also sent people to monitor from the back row,” Reno whispered, handing her a tablet containing the announcement draft.

Serena smiled faintly, her gaze sharp. “Good. Make sure they get the best angle. This show is specially dedicated to him.”

As Serena stepped onto the stage, a wave of applause and flashing cameras welcomed her. Haris Nasution sat in the front row, giving her a supportive nod. Serena held the microphone steadily, looking straight into the camera lens broadcasting the event live.

“Thank you for coming,” Serena’s voice echoed—calm yet commanding. “For seven years, I disappeared from the radar. Many thought I was finished. But for a producer, silence is the best time to research a tragedy. Today, Zea Production proudly announces our ambitious new project, which will soon enter production.”

Serena pulled the velvet cord. The cloth dropped, revealing a bold title in thin, blade-sharp letters: THE BETRAYAL.

“This film tells the story of a woman who sacrifices everything for love, only to realize that the man she worshipped was a devil who stole her soul, her wealth, and even tried to erase her existence. It is a story of systematic betrayal—of a man who glorifies a son as a trophy while trampling on his own flesh and blood.”

The room fell into complete silence. The journalists exchanged uneasy glances. The plot felt far too familiar. Serena and Dewangga’s divorce scandal, the video of violence against Clarisa, and the presence of the pregnant Vanes—all the puzzle pieces seemed to be projected onto the big screen in the form of an eerily realistic fiction.

In his cold office, Dewangga stared at the television screen, his face burning red with rage. He hurled a crystal glass against the wall, shattering it into pieces.

“Damn you, Serena!” he growled. “She wants to humiliate me in front of the entire world!”

Dewangga understood the power of film all too well. If The Betrayal were released and succeeded, his image as a successful businessman would be destroyed forever. Business partners would cut ties, afraid of being associated with the film’s antagonist. Investors would flee. He would become a pariah among the elite.

“Mother! Look at what that woman is doing!” Dewangga shouted at Emely, who had just entered with a panicked expression.

“Dewangga, you must stop her! If that film airs, everyone will know that the evil grandmother character is me!” Emely screamed hysterically. “Buy the rights! Pay whatever it takes to silence her!”

Dewangga grabbed his car keys. His ego and fear clashed violently. He couldn’t wait for his lawyers—he had to confront Serena himself before the project went any further.

That afternoon, Dewangga stormed into Serena’s office, ignoring the secretary who tried to stop him. Inside, he found Serena studying the film’s storyboard with Haris.

“Get out, Haris! I want to talk to my wife!” Dewangga snapped.

“Ex-wife,” Haris corrected without moving, his eyes filled with open disdain.

Serena signaled for Haris to give them a moment. After he stepped out and closed the door, Dewangga threw a briefcase filled with stacks of cash and a checkbook onto Serena’s desk.

“Stop this nonsense, Serena. I know what you’re doing,” he hissed. “You want money, don’t you? You want revenge because I took Zea Production’s capital? Here—take it. There’s fifty billion in here. Cancel The Betrayal now, and I’ll grant you full custody of Clarisa in the next hearing—no conditions.”

Serena looked at the pile of money, then at Dewangga. She didn’t look shocked or angry. Instead, she started laughing. At first it was soft, but it quickly grew into a rich, echoing laughter that filled the room—one that sounded painfully sharp to Dewangga’s ears.

“Fifty billion?” Serena tapped the checkbook lightly. “You think my dignity, Clarisa’s trauma, and the life of my unborn child can be bought with pocket change?”

“Pocket change?! That’s more than enough for you to live in luxury for the rest of your life!”

Serena stood and stepped closer until only inches separated them. The cold aura radiating from her made Dewangga instinctively step back.

“Dewangga, you really don’t understand this industry, do you?” she whispered. “As a producer, I know how to calculate the value of a story. And ours? The story of your cruelty is worth far more than money. This film is my ticket back to the top—and your reputation’s coffin.”

“Serena, don’t force me to get violent again!” Dewangga threatened, his fists clenched.

“Go ahead. Hit me again—right here,” Serena challenged, pointing to her cheek. “There are five hidden cameras in this room streaming live to Haris’s server. Want to add another chapter to my script? I’d be happy to include it as a bonus scene.”

Dewangga froze, quickly pulling his hand back. He suddenly felt like a rat caught in his own trap.

“You can’t do this to me,” his voice weakened, almost pleading. “I’m your child’s father. If I fall, Clarisa will be ashamed too.”

“Clarisa has been ashamed of you since you hit her for Vanes,” Serena shot back. “Keep your money—you’ll need it to pay your lawyers when I reclaim every cent you stole from Zea Production. Now get out of my office. I have a work of art to finish.”

Dewangga picked up his briefcase with trembling hands. As he reached the door, Serena called out once more.

“Oh, Dewangga? One more thing. In the film, the husband ends up in prison for asset fraud and abuse. I hope you like the ending—because I always make sure my films have very realistic conclusions.”

Dewangga walked out, feeling a level of devastation he had never experienced before. Outside, Haris stood waiting with a victorious smile.

“Well, Dewangga? Offer rejected?” Haris asked mockingly.

Dewangga said nothing and hurried toward the elevator.

Inside her office, Serena let out a long breath. She picked up a photo of Clarisa from her desk and kissed it softly.

“The script is ready, sweetheart,” she murmured. “And this time, Mommy won’t let anyone ruin its happy ending.”

The project The Betrayal instantly became the hottest topic in the country. Serena Zea hadn’t just announced a film—she had declared total war. And for Dewangga, every passing second now felt like a countdown to an explosion that would erase his name from the business world forever.