The Untouched Heart

Chapter 168 - The Terms of Peace

His three lawyers immediately whispered to him, preventing him from making a decision before discussing it first. But Nora ignored their advice and looked at me waiting for me to say the terms I was about to apply.

“Easy only. You've invited a lot of reporters to come to this building, so we shouldn't waste their precious time. We will provide a room for a press conference. Admit all your actions as your lawyer has told you, then apologize to our extended family.”

“What?” She laughs. “You dream when you think I would do that. I won't ruin my own good name to save your name.”

“Then, the offer will not be lowered. You must pay as much compensation as we submit.” I turned my head towards Mr. Oscar, handing the show back to his hands.

“Nora has apologized, that's enough. He doesn't have to admit it in public. After all, everyone had heard his own confession at the event at his hotel. Why else lower him any further than that? Nora was already sorry and would not repeat her actions. Yes, ‘kan, Nora?” Mom held her hand on the table.

“Honey,” says Papa is trying to stop Mama from talking further.

“Iya, Aunt.” He who was originally arrogant-faced, put on a puffy face. “I realized that Hendra would never leave his wife. I will not attempt to ruin their marriage or get involved with anything related to them again. I realized that love cannot be forced.”

“You've heard it yourself. End this dispute peacefully and well. No need to involve more people.”

“One more time, Mrs Adhyana Mighty, and this is the last warning. This meeting is only between my client and Nora. If Mom is still trying to intervene, I have to get out of this room,” Mr. Oscar said firmly.

He continued the agenda of the event by mentioning the name and account number of the destination, then the deadline date for the compensation money must be transferred. Hendra decided to use my personal account number because I had been harmed a lot. I lost the debate, so I let him and Mr. Oscar do their job.

“I only have two days to collect that kind of money? Are you kidding me, Hendra?” ask Nora who immediately brushed off her lawyer's hand trying to attract her attention. Why is he just talking to Hendra? I was the main client of Mr. Oscar at this meeting.

“If there is nothing more we need to discuss, me and my client please resign,” said Mr. Oscar. He tidied up every file that was in front of him. Hendra turned his head towards me, I nodded in understanding. We stood from our seats.

“Wait. Wait a minute,” exclaimed Nora after a few minutes just silent. His lawyers are no longer taking over their duties. Now the woman speaks in her own name. “Good. I accept terms from you. Please, prepare the room.”

“You must not subtract a single word in the press conference later. Terms are considered ineligible when you try to manipulate the atmosphere.” Mr. Oscar pulled a map out of his bag. “This is a peace agreement letter that we have prepared. Please renew your signature, then we can go to the conference room.”

Hendra turned towards Zach. He understands what he has to do. He walked over to the window and talked to someone on his cell phone. Nora's lawyer read the agreement half-heartedly. They must have been offended after several times Nora ignored their advice and chose to talk without asking their opinion first.

After Mr. Oscar examined the three documents signed by the two parties to the dispute, namely me and Nora, as well as the witnesses, the letter was declared valid. I extended my hand to Nora, but she would not accept it. He actually gave his hand to Hendra which of course was just ignored.

Mr. Oscar walked out of the room first after Zach held the door open for all of us. Hendra held my hand as we walked from the meeting room, in the elevator, to the conference room where reporters were waiting.

“What you are doing is very excessive,” said Mama who stood by Hendra's side. “She has suffered enough without you guys adding more with this conference.”

“Zahara lost our baby, she was almost raped in a public place, and she almost ended her life because of the pressure she felt. It was all because of Nora, Dicky, and Vivaldo. Also the other people I'm still investigating. If Nora has tasted half of what my wife has experienced, this conference does not need to be held.

“But he can still walk freely with his chin raised, no punishment whatsoever was given to him, even my own mother still sided with him. Tell me, Ma. What suffering has he experienced that Mama meant earlier?” ask Hendra.

“What do you mean, Hendra? Zahara pregnant?” ask Papa surprised. I looked towards Mama. He didn't tell Papa about it?

“Iya, Pa. She is not even eight weeks old.”

“I'm sorry, Son. I'm so sorry to hear that, Zahara.” Papa touched my shoulder. My tears pressed out feeling his genuine attention.

“Iya, Pa.” I cleared my throat slowly hearing my voice suddenly hoarse. “Thank you.” Hendra put his hand on my shoulder.

We set our sights on how Gista allowed Nora to say what she wanted to say at the press conference. There was a note on the table, placed before him, to make it easier for him to say all the things he needed to say.

“I, Nora Camillia, invite you all media colleagues to this place to convey that the problem between me personally with the mighty Mahendra and his family has been resolved well.” He's clearing slowly.

“I admit wrong to have done so many things that have harmed their good name. I'm the one who gave the CCTV footage of the hotel to Dicky Ardyanto's television and media stations to spread widely. I've also paid a lot of people to shape public opinion through comments on social media. I have manipulated the results of the DNA test stating that Hadi is Mahendra's biological son, being Hadi is Vivaldo Chandra's biological son.

“The last time, I confessed that I had provoked some men who were attracted to Mahendra's wife to harass him. I have also mentioned that the woman is not a good woman so that her reputation is destroyed and Mahendra leaves her.

“For all those mistakes, I admit to regretting it and will not repeat it again. Not to Mahendra Mighty family or anyone else in the future. To Mahendra and his entire extended family, Zahara Aprilia, Hadiyan Bagas Perkasa, Erendira Bella Mighty, Adhyana Mighty, and Naava Mighty, I apologize profusely.”

The room became boisterous after Nora conveyed her apology. Gista took over and they calmed down. He only gave them two sessions to ask. Each session was given to three people with only one question.

When someone asked if Nora loved Hendra so much that I just smiled. Are there no other questions that are more weighty? They are employees who should be able to analyze the problem more deeply. What he did was not love.

“Yes, I love him so much. And I make sure that I love Mahendra more than the woman he is now by his side. Mahendra is divorced from him. Even though they were back living together, it would not be able to cover up the fact that they had deceived the crowd. Just wait until everyone knows what they're hiding by pretending to get along again.”