Twenty minutes later, Dariella had finished packing. Now, she, Kalix, and Naka were standing in front of the villa, where the CEO of J Group was waiting to thank them.
"Thank you for taking the past two days to evaluate my new villa, sir," the CEO said with a smile toward Kalix.
"You're welcome. Your villa is excellent, and the location is very strategic. I'll make sure to come again sometime," Kalix replied with a faint smile.
The CEO's expression brightened at the compliment. "Thank you once again."
Kalix gave a polite nod before glancing at Naka and Dariella. "No one left anything behind, right?"
Both of them shook their heads.
Kalix's brows drew together when he noticed the cold, expressionless look on Dariella's face. Following her gaze, he realized she was staring at the woman who was rumored to be the CEO's mistress.
Why is she looking at her like that? he thought.
Ah… she must have heard about the scandal.
The news had spread far and wide—many clients had already cut ties with J Group. Truth be told, Kalix himself wasn't entirely comfortable working with the CEO after the affair came to light, but there was little he could do. The joint project between his company and J Group was already 90% complete. Pulling out now would cause a massive loss.
"Well then, I'll take my leave," Kalix said politely.
"Take care," the CEO replied warmly.
Kalix simply nodded with a small smile and instructed Naka and Dariella to get into the car prepared by Daddy Vano's men.
"Let's go, darling," the CEO said, taking the hand of the woman beside him.
The woman smiled faintly and followed him into the car. Quietly, she reached for her phone and sent a message to someone:
Follow the girl with the old-fashioned look. Don't let her boss notice. Once you get the name of her hotel, contact me immediately.
.
.
Inside the car.
"Bro, seriously—what's wrong with Mr. James? How can he shamelessly bring his mistress and openly introduce her to us? As a faithful man, I find that disturbing," Naka said with clear irritation.
"My mom already suggested cutting ties, but you know how women are—especially when it comes to cheating. Still, the project with Mr. James's company is already 90% done. If we cancel now, the losses would be huge," Kalix replied.
"Yeah… true," Naka sighed.
Glancing out the window, Naka noticed Dariella looking gloomy. He realized her mood had shifted after seeing the CEO's mistress. "Miss Dariella, you're upset, huh? I get it—woman to woman, you'd be annoyed. But control that expression, okay? We still have to stay professional," he teased.
"Sorry, sir. Was it that obvious I didn't like her?" Dariella chuckled softly.
"Very," Naka laughed.
Dariella just smiled and turned her gaze back to the window.
---------
Thirty minutes later.
Naka had lost count of how many times Kalix glanced at Dariella through the rearview mirror. He shook his head, grinning in amusement at how Kalix hadn't stopped staring at her since they got into the car. Meanwhile, Dariella kept shooting him sharp, annoyed looks, clearly uncomfortable under his gaze.
She's unusually quiet. Normally she'd be restless and throwing those cheesy pickup lines whenever she's near me, Kalix thought, still watching her.
"Bro, how long are you planning to keep staring at her? Can't you see she's uncomfortable?" Naka finally said.
"Let him be, Mr. Naka," Dariella cut in, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Your boss is just mesmerized by the beauty of God's sexiest creation."
Naka burst into laughter at her remark. Dariella had always been a master at praising herself—especially when it meant teasing Kalix.
"Do you even qualify as beautiful? I think not," Kalix replied flatly.
"Then why do you keep staring at me? Just admit you're starting to like me. But let me remind you— you're not my type, so don't get your hopes up," she shot back.
Naka laughed even harder, and even the driver couldn't help but chuckle.
Kalix let out a sharp scoff and leaned in toward her. "Then what is your type, that you're playing so hard to get?" His face drew closer to hers.
Both Naka and the driver let out surprised exclamations at Kalix's direct question.
Dariella furrowed her brows, unsettled. Tch, usually he'd be annoyed or even angry when I teased him like this.
She turned her gaze toward the window, her expression growing cold. "Rich men are all the same—they only see people for their looks," she muttered under her breath. But Kalix heard her clearly—he was close enough to catch every word.
She had her suspicions. His change in attitude had to be because he'd seen her real face. In the past, Kalix couldn't stand even making eye contact with her; just seeing her from afar would sour his mood. But now? He couldn't seem to stop staring and didn't appear the least bit bothered being near her.
Kalix cleared his throat and leaned back into his seat. "Don't judge me too quickly. My question was purely out of curiosity—why you're so difficult. It has nothing to do with… something I learned yesterday," he said coolly.
"What did you learn?" Naka asked.
"You don't need to know," Kalix replied, earning an irritated scoff from him.
Kalix cast a brief glance at Dariella. What did she mean by that?
'Rich men only see people for their looks'? Has she been in a relationship with someone from a wealthy family before? Is that why she hides her beauty? he wondered.
*******
That night, Kalix and Naka were getting ready to attend the grand opening of Daddy Vano's friend's new restaurant.
Dariella, however, wasn't coming. Her stomach had suddenly started acting up—probably from the spicy food she'd eaten earlier.
"You're sure you'll be fine here alone?" Kalix asked. She simply nodded.
"Alright, then. Get some rest. I'll wake you up early tomorrow," he said, earning another nod in response.
Kalix and Naka left for the event, while Dariella lay back down on her bed, one hand pressed against her aching stomach.
-----
Ten minutes later, she was still awake when the sound of her hotel room door opening made her frown.
She slid out of bed, thinking it might be Kalix returning for something. But before she could reach the door, a man she didn't recognize stepped inside.
Her body froze.
"Who… who are you?" Dariella asked, fear lacing her voice.
The man didn't answer. Instead, he kept walking toward her.
Her heart pounded. She turned to run, but he lunged forward, grabbing her and forcing his lips against hers.
Dariella screamed, thrashing in his grip, but he slapped her—once, twice—until the room spun and her strength faltered.
Meanwhile, Kalix was on his way back to the hotel—he'd forgotten his phone in Dariella's room. Since he had a spare access card, he didn't bother knocking.
The moment the door swung open, Dariella's cries hit him like a thunderclap. His eyes locked on the stranger pinning her down.
"BASTARD!" Kalix roared.
He didn't waste another second. His fist smashed into the man's face, over and over, rage blinding him to everything but the sound of Dariella's sobs.
Blood gushed from the man's nose, his lips split, and crimson streaks leaked from the corner of his eyes as Kalix continued to beat him mercilessly.
Naka arrived just in time to see the scene. His eyes widened.
"Kalix, stop! You're gonna kill him!" Naka grabbed his arm, forcing him back.
Kalix's chest heaved with fury. "Call the hotel staff," he ordered.
When the man tried to make a run for it, Kalix slammed his foot down on the intruder's ankle, immobilizing him until Naka ran to get the manager.
Kalix turned to Dariella. "Do you know him?"
She shook her head, trembling.
Kalix shut his eyes, jaw tight. How the hell did a stranger get into her room? How could the hotel be this careless?
The hotel manager soon arrived, flanked by staff. Kalix unleashed his anger on him, threatening to sue for negligence.
"Please, sir, calm down," the manager pleaded. "We'll investigate immediately. I promise this man will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Just give us half an hour—we'll gather all the evidence."
"Good. And make sure every piece of evidence is enough to put this scum behind bars," Kalix said through clenched teeth.
The intruder was dragged away, leaving Dariella curled in the corner, tears streaking her pale face.
"I'm sorry," Kalix murmured, kneeling in front of her. "I never should've left you alone."
She shook her head, still crying.
"God, this hotel is unbelievable," Naka muttered. "Lucky you forgot your phone, or…" He didn't finish.
Kalix lifted her gently and carried her to the bed. "It's over now. You're safe."
Her body shook in his arms. If he hadn't come back…
"Thank you," she whispered between sobs. "Thank you so much."
Kalix held her close, rubbing her back in slow circles. "He'll pay for this. I promise you."
"Naka, you go to the event. I'll handle things here," Kalix said without looking away from her.
Naka hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Take care of her."
Kalix stayed with her, calming her until her breathing steadied. Eventually, exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep in his arms.
He studied her peaceful face, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. If I hadn't forgotten my phone… if I hadn't come back…
"I'm so sorry," Kalix whispered, tightening Dariella embrace.
******
Half an hour later, the manager returned with a receptionist.
"Explain," Kalix said coldly.
The receptionist bowed deeply. "Sir, this was my mistake. About an hour ago, a woman checked in—not for a room, but claiming she wanted to visit her niece here. She said her niece was Miss Dariella and requested an access card to her room."
Kalix's voice was sharp. "And you just gave it to her? Are you out of your mind?"
"I checked her ID and family card first," the receptionist said quickly. "The information matched Miss Dariella's records, so I… I thought it was safe. I'm sorry."
"You said woman. Then who was the man?" Kalix demanded.
The manager stepped in. "We checked the CCTV. The man didn't have a booking—he came straight in, went to the restroom, and was later seen receiving the access card from that same woman. After handing it over, she left the hotel immediately."
"Find her," Kalix ordered.
"We're trying, sir. As for the man, he's already been handed over to the police. I assure you, he will face severe punishment."
Kalix nodded curtly. "Send me her details when you have them."
"Yes, sir. And again, we deeply apologize for this incident."
When they left, Kalix sat back beside Dariella. He wasn't going anywhere. Not tonight.
*******
The next morning, Dariella woke to find Kalix setting food on the table. He told her to freshen up and have breakfast.
"Where's Mr. Naka?" Dariella asked after she was done washing up.
"In a meeting," Kalix replied shortly.
"You're not going to the meeting, Mr. Kalix?"
Kalix stopped what he was doing and looked at her. For a moment, he was struck by how different she looked—no glasses, no bangs, no fake pimples on her face. He quickly looked away. "Naka can handle the meeting. Right now, I want to take care of you first."
"Take care of me?" Dariella frowned in confusion.
"The man who broke into your room last night has been caught and is now in jail," Kalix explained. "He got in with the help of a middle-aged woman who claimed to be your aunt. Here—this is her ID. Look closely. Is she really your aunt?" He handed her his phone, the screen showing the woman's identity details and photo.
Dariella studied the image and shook her head. "I don't know her. I don't even have an aunt—my mother is an only child."
"Then how are you listed in the same family registry as her?" Kalix asked, clearly puzzled.
"The hotel staff even said the data was valid," he added.
Dariella went quiet for a moment. "How could that be? I swear I've never seen this woman in my life."
"Feels like there's someone influential backing her," Kalix said.
"Have you ever had a conflict with someone from a high social circle?" he asked.
Dariella's mind churned at his words.
Could it be her? she thought, remembering her biological mother.
It has to be her, she decided, clenching her fists tightly.
"I'll find this woman. You don't need to worry," Kalix said firmly.
"No need, you've already done so much for me," Dariella replied, eating her breakfast.
"I'll find her," he insisted.
Dariella looked up at him, ready to respond, but he cut her off.
"I was the one who brought you here, so I'm fully responsible. Don't get the wrong idea about my kindness," he said coldly.
"Finish your breakfast. We're heading back to Melbourne at noon," Kalix added.