Substitute Mother
Chapters 164. Guardian
Jeanno did not joke when he mentioned Thomas Alexander. The one he hated the most in recent years. It took Mark to react pretty badly. “You sure?”
The one asked, nodded his head steadily. “I can't if I have to overthrow lord Robert alone”
“Jeanno, our enemy here Arman. What is necessary to bring master Robert?”
Jeanno looked straight at Mark. True, indeed the problem between them is only a personal matter that feels unfair if you have to drag parties outside Jeanno and Arman, even though it is family.
“I don't know how Mr. Robert would respond if we harassed Arman. After all he was his real son. And again. I want to give a jera” effect
Mark scratched his finger. His forehead shriveled as if he was reading what his cousin was planning in his intelligent brain. Knowing Jeanno more than anyone else, Mark believes Jeanno's revenge plan will not play into the effects.
“I just want to remind you, if you continue whatever you plan.it not only destroys Arman, but his household, his wife's career and his family's company. You sure, Jean?”
Seulas grisly grin shown Jeanno. In contrast to his chaotic and fragile appearance a few hours ago, Jeanno Alexander is now back to his usual cold and confident figure.
“Arman has dared to harass the woman I love. I'll make sure he's destroyed faster, Mark”
**
“Hot News! Husband of popular actress Paula Winona caught in the middle of entering the hotel with a foreign woman”
“Suami actress Paula Winona is known to often hire women at night to accompany her nights!”
“Paula Winona chose to silence with her household rift issue”
“By being exposed to household problems, there is evidence of an affair Paula Winona with actor C who is her co-star in the film The Widow”
“Agency denies news of Paula's affair, and says that her actress will vacuum”
“Actor C admits to having a special relationship with P, which has been established the last 6 months”
“Marriage is headed for destruction, will Paula Winona be able to save her career that is also on the verge of collapse?”
Jeanno smiled satisfied reading the headlines of online news portals that almost all display news about Paula Winona. Previously he had never been interested in the entertainment world, but recently he felt a little interested, the initial intention of wanting to dismantle Arman's lecherous behavior, instead, he found other facts about Winona who also had an affair. Makes this game seem more exciting and challenging.
“I thought you'd only unpack Arman”'s disgrace
Mark poured the wine, sipped it slowly. From then on he could only shake his head to see the consequences of his cousin's actions. Jeanno did not explicitly confess, but she knew enough about what the former man had intervened.
“I have no other choice”
“Actor C is very easy to confess. Is that also because of you?”
Before replying, Jeanno chuckled. His hand reached out to grab his wine glass. “I just gave a little quote. Winona's agency is the actor's biggest rival, with Winona as his main talent. If he wants to admit his affair in public, then it will be ascertained that the public cancel Winona, bad for his career. It will take a very long time to recover his image. Since their main talent was dim, then it became an opportunity for other agencies to shine. Simple concept in the business world, right?”
“I can't believe that's all you do. The actor's agency won't be that easy to do to you except.”.
Jeanno just smiled. Justifying whatever was on Mark's mind.
“Jawab, Jeanno? My guess is right?”
“I just invested a little. After all, with this news, the public will be diverted from Arman's problems. That way Judith's identity will be guaranteed”
Mark sneered. It would be a lie if Jeanno said he only bought a small stake in actor C's agency for the public's admission of the affair. Jeanno had definitely invested in such a large amount that the entertainment agency was knee-jerk to her.
The two adult men took a sip of the wine, swept away in each other's minds.
“Judith. How's she?”
Mark stopped his sip. “Good. The cake shop was as crowded as ever, but I think she was getting overwhelmed from doing everything herself. If it keeps going like that, he can get sick”
“Can you ask Hannah to advise her to find an employee? At least one. so that the load is not so heavy”
Mark shrugged his shoulders. “Hannah has suggested, several times instead. But Judith always said she'd think about it later. Until my wife exhausted herself said it”
Jeanno nodded faintly. “Let meurus”
**
After reading the headlines on his phone about Paula Winona news that became trending everywhere, Judith put the communication tool. His mind was bright, how could a classy and educated woman like Paula turn out to be having an affair with an actor who incidentally junior in the entertainment world? Paula's news was so excited that it closed the issue of Arman who likes to bring women to the hotel. Makes Judith a little relieved, as well as thank actor C. Because that way his identity as a ‘si women malam’ stay awake.
The problems that have occurred to him in recent months, make Judith forget the existence of Arman Mahendera. The man thirsting for validation must now be taking a hit. Oh, naw. Judith is not sorry. He just didn't expect Arman to fall this fast, slumped so deep. Judith was grateful that she was nowhere near Arman in this situation because otherwise, the man would have run to her. He wanted Judith more when his wife cheated on him.
“Excuse”
Judith's daydream is interrupted when a young woman still in middle school clothes knocks on a locked glass door.
“Sorry, it's closed” from the inside. But the girl was still knocking, feeling pity for her pitying expression and her half-drenched body from the rain this afternoon, Judith decided to open the door. “Sorry, but the store has closed”
“I'm so hungry, Brother. My house is far away and my money was taken by my friends. May I. ask for a little bread? Half is also okay, if brother deign”
The girl said it with a timid expression and a shivering body. Making Judith's conscience touched, invited into his shop without suspicion. “Come in first, outside cold” the girl complies, tailing to sit in one of the chairs. His eyes followed Judith who was preparing some cakes and a glass of warm chocolate.
“Eat”
“T-but, this is too much. I can't pay for it”
Judith smiled. “Do not think about money. You're shivering and pale. Prioritize your health first. I won't tell you to pay”
The girl who was initially lethargic, now looked at Judith full of twinkle and began to devour the snack after repeatedly saying thanks.
It's nothing, Judith recalled her condition a few years ago after she ran away from home. Stroll in the street on an empty stomach. No one wants to hire a 14-year-old as an employee. All he did if he was hungry and there was no money, was stand in front of the restaurant. Hope the leftover food that is not spent is not thrown away. He devours himself, the most important thing is that he can sleep in a state of fullness.
“What's your name?”
“Mikha”
Meet Micah, a 16-year-old high school girl. Judith spent the cold night listening to Micah's story about his life. About him who only lives with his elderly grandmother and works as a scavenger to support them. Micah was able to attend school because of scholarships, but his cleverness invited the envy of his other friends so he became a victim of bully who often took his pocket money. Micah said he needed money for everyday life, because it was impossible for him to rely on an old grandmother. Even Micah would choose to quit school, as long as he worked.
After weighing a few things, Judith finally offers Micah to work at her cake shop with working hours adjusting the school schedule. Which Micah of course gladly accepted. Many times he said thank you, overwhelmed by the kindness of his beautiful sister who he had just met the first time.
The numbers on the clock are creeping up, accompanying the two women of different generations that are immersed in conversation like a pair of old friends.
**
“I can start work tomorrow, sir. Miss Judith also believes in my story”
“Good. For the next time, keep reporting your activities at the end of the day. You can call my secretary if there's an urgent situation, or when I can't answer your phone”
“Good, tuan”
Jeanno put down her phone after the connection was cut off. Looking straight ahead. His heart was relieved, undeniable when his man managed to get into Judith's shop to apply for a job. A little evil indeed, had to make a falsehood to attract Judith's sympathy in order to get a job.
Yeah, Micah was Jeanno's man. Micah, whose real name is Michelle, is a 23-year-old company PR staff, happens to have a baby face that is able to trick many people into thinking he is still in High School. Trusted by her boss for ‘disguised’ with a promotion offer of the position, Michelle accepts happily.
Things will be discovered in the future, let Jeanno think later. Most importantly Judith has employees. At least he wasn't exhausted himself.
**
