Chapter 22: The Beginning

“Murder, extortion, ambush. Actually, I never experienced it directly, but when we heard that several employees had received this kind of treatment, we were affected by it. Terror enveloped the office employees until some were forced to resign. But those who resign are also not a good choice. Because they..." Yulia's words trailed off as her fingers intertwined nervously. Fiona could see the change clearly. She is a writer and her observations of things are more detailed.

"What happened to them?"

Yulia took a deep breath before continuing. “They were murdered.”

Blood swished coldly. Goosebumps rose on the back of Fiona's neck. “Killed? Se—seriously?”

"Marionette was so jealous of Mr. Harrington because five years ago—when the dollar invasion was on the rise, the Terin company—Marionette's cigarette company experienced a setback. Many people are holding back their finances and not buying cigarettes anymore. Many supplies and brands of Terin cigarettes had just been released, so they went bankrupt. Some said that Marionette's capital at that time had already been handed over to the new cigarette brand. Because he didn't get any profit, Marionette started making money in other ways. Namely through tax torture and money extortion in several places. Especially in the South Jakarta area."

Fiona's forehead furrowed in surprise. “Marionette broke? Isn't he the number one richest person in Indonesia? How could he go bankrupt? It is impossible."

“No one really thinks about that. But Marionette has a company abroad that competes with the cigarette company owned by Philip Muller—one of the owners of a well-known cigarette company too, and is competing. Marionette invested heavily in the company and hoped to gain control of Philip Muller. However, unfortunately, he was cheated and lost a lot of money for it.

“Because of the frustration of his defeat, apart from losing a lot of money, his self-esteem was increasingly drained. Especially after he saw that President Anwar really liked Mr. Harrington. Marionette started targeting Mr. Harrington and eating away at our family's finances. He felt free to commit such dark crimes because he received a lot of protection—including from President Anwar himself.

"Especially... regarding the drug distribution that he secretly carried out."

"Drugs? Marionette also uses drugs?” Fiona asked in disbelief.

“Some say he is the biggest dealer. But he was the one who invited people to come to his place. He doesn't sell drugs freely. Completely closed off.”

"Does President Anwar know about this?" Fiona asked.

For a moment, Yulia shook her head. “For this, I don't know. But as far as Mr. Leonard’s investigation is concerned, that's the information we got from the intelligence.”

So Leonard has been investigating him all this time? Fiona doesn't know how big the problem is and how dark the issues she will face are. However, if what Yulia said now was true, Fiona understood why neither Cornelius nor Leonard were still ready to tell her that. It is just…

Fiona doesn't believe Leonard.

He was just a perverted guy who touched her for no reason. Making herself tormented for no reasonable reason.

Fiona sighed while shaking her head, shaking off the image of the big problem she might actually be facing, and then stood up.

She needs to run away.

She needs to get away from home and this problem.

There was no way that just because she was 'marked' by Marionette she could enter and sink into a troublesome matter like this. Besides, who is she? She is just a writer who is on holiday in Jakarta to enjoy her days escaping from the problems in Paris.

"Take me to Giovani's room," said Fiona firmly. Yulia immediately stiffened.

“But, Miss—”

Fiona wasn't listening anymore because she had gone straight to the door and left. In the doorway, Leonard's two bodyguards turned and restrained Fiona using their arms, forming a cross fence in front of her.

"Step aside."

“I'm sorry, but Mr. Leonard's orders—”

"I just want to go to Giovani's room. If you want to come, please come. Or, report it to Leonard as well," said Fiona indifferently. She watched as the bodyguards dressed in stiff suits and ties stared at each other.

"You can’t—"

Fiona immediately grabbed the collar of one of the guards until the man gasped in surprise. She narrowed her eyes at the guard. "Then, call him here or I will bluff even more."

The guard raised both hands while looking doubtful, "We have been given orders to—"

Fiona immediately kicked the bodyguard's genitals until he screamed in pain. One bodyguard beside her was stunned and immediately spoke into the earpiece while Yulia covered her mouth with both hands. Surprised by the kick. Fiona took a deep breath as she received a cell phone from the bodyguard who had been talking into the earpiece.

The poor guard complained of pain but he tried to hold it back.

"...I'll do the calculations with you, Fi."

Fiona rolled her eyes lazily. "I just want to go to Giovani's room. What's it to you? She's the Marionette I should avoid too?”

Leoanrd's voice sounded weak. The guy sounded like he was somewhere full of howling winds. “Giovani doesn't like you. And I can shadow you to discuss something."

“Tch. Discussing what? I just want revenge. This afternoon she was bullying me. Why should I negotiate with someone who clearly doesn't like me?"

Somehow, Fiona had to make it out of this room. She would cut all the nonsense and return home. And this is the only opportunity. Leonard didn't sound too domineering. Good for Fiona’s move.

Leonard could be heard muttering softly. "Makes sense. Okay. If that's the case, let my bodyguard come along. Just one hour. If you haven't come back, I'll come to you."

Fiona's smile was bright. She immediately turned off the cell phone and handed it to the bodyguard. The bodyguard should also be able to hear their conversation through the earpiece, so Fiona doesn't need to bother explaining anymore.

*

Giovani's room is in the front wing of the house. Guided by two bodyguards who walked in front of her, Fiona passed through the hallway, the mezzanine balcony, and several luxurious corridors full of paintings whose frames were made of gold and some of the Harrington family's wealth that stuck to every inch of the walls and ceiling corners of the interior of the house.

As soon as she arrived at Giovani’s room, Fiona entered and found Giovani smiling at her in the dressing mirror while removing her face mask.

“Hey, can we start the plan?” Fiona asked, immediately sitting on the edge of the queen-sized bed in the middle of the room without asking permission. Giovani also looked happy. She didn't mind Fiona's relaxed appearance at all.

"Is your servant coming along?" asked Giovani, whose hair was now flowing casually. Giovani's face looked bright and white. Her skin looks luxurious like a conglomerate's kid in general. For some reason, harsh descriptions started to appear in Fiona's head.

"She's outside," she answered nonchalantly. "I only have an hour before Leonard comes to see me. He's worried that you and I are planning something to help me escape.”

Giovani crossed her arms with a faint smile. "He really fell in love with you. I don't know what you did to make him that crazy about you. Okay, but even though I admit that you really make him crazy, I'm happy because you came here and sincerely asked for my help to get rid of him."

Without realizing it, Fiona smiled faintly. "Well, so what's the plan?"

***