Chapter 9 Starting to Be Revealed

Bara immediately went up to the twentieth floor, following the employee's directions. Once he arrived, he stepped toward a room whose door was slightly ajar.

Knock... knock... knock...!

Even though the door was open, Bara still knocked politely.

"Good afternoon," Bara greeted as he stood straight in the doorway.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bara. Please, come in," said a man who immediately stood up-clearly Mr. Erlang.

Bara entered quietly, then bowed respectfully to the several people seated inside.

"You're very young and quite handsome, Mr. Barabell. Let me introduce myself. I'm Erlang, the manager of The King Hotel," he said.

"This is Master Long, the owner of the hotel," he added. Bara quickly shook hands with the man who appeared to be in his fifties.

"Greetings, Master Long," Bara said politely.

"And this is our Young Lady-the only daughter of Master Long," the manager continued, introducing a young woman who had been staring at Bara without blinking.

"Greetings, Young Lady," Bara said as he shook the beautiful woman's hand.

"Just call me Liana," she said softly.

"All right, Miss Liana."

"Please, have a seat, Mr. Barabell," Manager Erlang gestured.

A discussion began, starting with small talk before moving to the main topic: the plan to build a luxury hotel. With his skills, Bara explained his presentation smoothly and clearly, leaving Master Long and his daughter amazed-especially at how young he was.

"Excellent. I really like your brilliant ideas, Barabell," Master Long praised.

"Actually, the construction company we're working with already has a talented architect team, but this time their concept is too ordinary. My daughter wanted a more competent and imaginative exterior-one that can bring out a unique character for the new hotel and attract future visitors."

"Thank you for the compliment, Master Long. We can discuss everything further later. This is just a temporary illustration. Everything depends on your final vision," Bara replied humbly.

"It's all up to my daughter, since this hotel is a birthday gift for her twenty-second birthday-just as she requested," Master Long said while glancing at Liana, whose face was turning red.

"I'll discuss everything with Master Barabell later, Papa. Will you agree with all my decisions?" she asked sweetly.

"Of course. Whatever you want," Master Long laughed heartily.

"That's right. I'll arrange a private meeting with Mr. Barabell. Would that be all right with you?" Liana asked, her eyes holding a certain meaning.

"Huh? W-well... just let me know the time. Mr. Erlang can contact me later," Bara replied nervously. The word private had startled him, and he deliberately directed the responsibility back to Erlang.

"No need. I will contact you directly, Mr. Barabell. Any objections?" Liana asked, emphasizing the question.

"No, of course not, Miss Liana. If there's nothing else, I'll excuse myself," Bara said politely.

"Go ahead," Master Long nodded warmly.

"Thank you for choosing me," Bara said while shaking the hotel owner's hand.

"Hopefully our cooperation goes smoothly," Liana said, extending her hand.

"Amen. Thank you for the trust, Miss Liana," Bara replied.

"See you later, Mr. Barabell," said the manager.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Erlang," Bara said sincerely, knowing the manager was the first person who had believed in his design.

Bara stepped out, then headed downstairs to return to his rented house-to his little daughter who had been left since morning.

---

At Delano's residence, Aunt Nay sat holding her phone, waiting anxiously for a call.

Ddrrzzz... ddrrzzz...

"Yes?" she answered quickly.

"Madam," said the man on the line.

"How is it?" she asked directly.

"I've monitored him for days, madam. Just as I reported yesterday, Young Master Bara has never been seen at his wife's residence. I've also been tailing his wife for days, but there's no sign they've met. Instead, it wasn't Young Master Bara who appeared with his wife... but M-Mr. Burhan Wiratama," the man said-Detective Li Bao Yu, Mr. Li's nephew.

"What?!" Nayzilla's brows knitted together tightly.

"Yes, madam. Mr. Burhan Wiratama has been seen in several places with Young Lady Morissa-Young Master Bara's wife," he explained in a low, hoarse voice.

"Where did they go?" Nayzilla asked, feeling as if sharp needles stabbed her chest.

"To her residence, to a shopping mall, and yesterday... to a hotel, madam."

"Good. Keep watching that woman-and Mr. Burhan. Are you absolutely sure about your report? Do you have evidence?" she demanded.

"Yes, madam. I've already sent it. It should arrive soon."

"Good. Continue your work. And find out where Young Master Bara lives now," she ordered coldly.

"Very well, madam."

The call ended. Nayzilla rubbed her forehead, tapping the table repeatedly.

We'll see what you're plotting, she thought bitterly.

I thought it was just my suspicion... turns out it was all your doing.

She snapped the pen in her hand.

"Madam, a package for you," the postman said.

"Thank you," she replied.

She took the brown envelope labeled for Mrs. Nayzilla. Her hands trembled slightly as she opened it. Inside was a white envelope. When she pulled out the contents-several photos spilled into her hands.

Photos of her husband... holding, embracing, even kissing the woman who should have been his nephew's wife.

"You bastard... traitor!" Nayzilla growled, crushing the photos.

---

Meanwhile, Bara had returned home. He and his little daughter were now sleeping soundly together. Bellyca had just finished drinking her milk-the bottle still held loosely in Bara's hand. He looked exhausted, having stayed up all night taking care of his fussy baby.

Aunt Ming had gone home earlier after helping a bit.

Father and daughter slept side by side, both with a hand resting on their foreheads.

A few hours passed.

Ddrrzzz... ddrrzzz... ddrrzzz!

Bara's phone vibrated loudly.

He didn't wake at first.

Ddrrzzz... ddrrzzz... ddrrzzz-

"Hello..." Bara finally answered in a groggy voice.

"Master Barabell, did I disturb your nap?" a familiar voice asked.

"Ah-no. Is this Miss Liana?" he asked, instantly awake.

"That's right. Besides being competent, you're also quick-witted, Mr. Barabell. Can we meet tonight?" she asked, twirling her short hair.

"T-tonight?!" Bara blurted.

"What business do we have at night?!" he wondered internally, frowning.

"Yes. Do you mind, Mr. Barabell?" Liana asked, pressing her tone.

"Ah-no. I'll try, Miss Liana," Bara answered, though he felt uncomfortable refusing.

"Good. I'll be waiting at Café Full of Love at eight tonight. Make sure you come, Mr. Barabell," she said with a mysterious smile.

"...All right."

Bara hung up and snarled in frustration.

"Damn! Why is this woman so pushy?!" he grumbled, tossing his phone onto the nightstand.

Oeekkk... oeekkk... oeekkk...!

Bellyca woke up from the noise of the phone hitting the table.

"Hey, hey... Daddy's beautiful girl, shh... I'm sorry, honey. Daddy didn't mean to," Bara soothed her gently.

"Are you hungry already? Hold on, Daddy will make your milk," he said, lifting his daughter and placing her gently in the crib.

...