Chapter 2

Slap!

“You ungrateful child!” Bagas shouted as he slapped his daughter across the cheek. Rianti had just returned home, stumbling and barely able to stand because she was drunk.

Bagas was furious because Rianti had once again disobeyed his orders. He had lost count of how many times he had warned his daughter to stop going to nightclubs, yet Rianti had never paid the slightest attention to his words.

And tonight, Rianti had once again humiliated him in front of the Admaja family. His daughter had failed to show up for the dinner they had arranged with the Admaja family. This was not the first time Rianti had done something like this whenever she wanted to defy his orders.

Bagas no longer knew what else to do to change his daughter's attitude. He had tried various ways to make Rianti less stubborn and stop associating with people he believed would have a bad influence on her. However, Rianti refused to listen. It was as though everything Bagas said went in one ear and out the other.

“Why didn't you show up again? Do you realize you've humiliated Papa in front of the Admaja family? How am I supposed to face them now, Rianti? Answer me!” Bagas roared, his anger growing as he raised his voice at his daughter.

“Darling, calm down!” Eva immediately rubbed her husband's upper arm gently, trying to get him to control his temper.

Eva couldn't bear to see her daughter being scolded like that, either. It was especially heartbreaking to see Rianti lying on the floor, clutching her cheek, which had turned red from Bagas's slap.

As a mother, Eva naturally wanted to rush over and help her daughter. However, she knew she couldn't stand up to her husband when he was consumed by anger. The only thing she could do at that moment was try to calm him down.

“I can't calm down, Eva, when this disrespectful child refuses to change her stubborn ways!” Bagas snapped, his chest heaving as he struggled to contain his anger.

Rianti let out a quiet, mocking chuckle. She then slowly rose from the floor. Her eyes, already glistening with tears, fixed a sharp gaze on the father standing before her.

“Maybe I should be the one asking you that question, Papa. How long are you going to keep forcing your will on me?” Rianti retorted. “How many times have I told you that I don't want to marry that man? I have my own choice, and my choice is Hendra!”

Rianti remained adamant in rejecting the arranged marriage her father had organized with the Admaja family. She had no intention of being trapped in a marriage simply for the sake of her family's business interests.

Besides, Rianti didn't even know the man she was supposed to marry. She had never met him in person, not even once. On top of that, she already had a boyfriend whom she loved dearly. There was no way she would leave Hendra for a complete stranger she didn't even know.

“So you're still seeing that good-for-nothing man?” Bagas glared at his daughter. “How many times have I told you to stay away from him and break up with him? He's no good for you, Rianti! Break up with Hendra and marry Bayu!” he demanded, leaving no room for argument.

Bagas had never approved of Rianti's relationship with Hendra. He believed the man was a bad influence on his daughter. In Bagas's opinion, if Hendra had never entered Rianti's life, she would never have turned into the person she was today.

In the past, Rianti had never questioned his words. She had never gone to nightclubs, either, and always returned home on time. However, ever since Hendra came into her life, her behavior had gradually changed. Both Bagas and Eva had noticed the difference.

Rianti had become increasingly bold in talking back to them and breaking the rules they had established.

“I won't break up with Hendra, Papa!” Rianti glared defiantly at her father. “He's the only one who loves me and has always been there for me. Whenever you and Mama aren't around, he's the one who keeps me company. So no matter how many times you tell me to break up with him, my answer will always be no!”

The comfort Rianti found in Hendra made her unwilling to let him go. To her, he was the only person who could truly understand her.

Whenever she felt lonely because her parents were always away managing their business, Hendra would come and keep her company. He would cheer her up and fill the emptiness that the luxuries her parents had provided could never fill, no matter how many years had passed.

Rianti had never felt fortunate to be born into a wealthy family when she couldn't even receive the attention she desperately wanted.

Money.

Money was all her parents ever gave her.

It was as though they had never considered that Rianti needed their attention and time, too, not just material possessions.

Ever since childhood, Rianti's life had been strictly controlled. Whenever she wanted to go out, she was only allowed to stay outside for three hours. After that, she had to return home immediately. If she broke that rule, she wouldn't be allowed to leave the house again.

On top of that, the numerous bodyguards who constantly watched her every move made Rianti feel as though she could never move around freely.

However, ever since Hendra came into her life, Rianti had begun to experience the freedom she had never known before.

She had started daring to speak her mind. Gradually, she had even begun rebelling against her father's orders. Whenever Bagas traveled out of town or abroad, Rianti would secretly leave the house and go out with Hendra.

She also took advantage of her time on campus to enjoy some freedom. Although she wasn't entirely free because bodyguards were still assigned to watch over her, Rianti always found clever ways to outsmart them and escape.

Just as she had done tonight.

“Sweetheart, why don't you just listen to your father?” Eva coaxed gently. “We're doing all of this for your own good. Bayu is a good man. He's responsible, too. Your father and I are sure he'll be able to take care of you.”

Rianti let out a soft, mocking chuckle after hearing her mother's words.

“How do you know he's a good man, Mama? How do you know he'll be able to take care of me?” she asked sarcastically. “For all you know, he could be much worse than Hendra. Don't judge someone by their appearance when you have no idea what they're really like on the inside!”

Rianti genuinely couldn't understand how her parents could be so certain that the man they had chosen for her was kind and responsible.

Even she wasn't convinced that Bayu was as good as they claimed.

The Admaja family was known for being extremely private and reluctant to let the public scrutinize their personal lives. Even when they occasionally appeared in the media, the reports were usually limited to their wealth or their seemingly harmonious family life.

But who knew what their lives were really like behind closed doors?

“Fine. If that's what you want, then you don't have to break up with Hendra—”

“Really?” Rianti immediately interrupted her father. “You're not lying to me, are you, Papa? Thank you!”

Her eyes instantly lit up.

Rianti was overjoyed, believing that her father had finally approved of her relationship with Hendra. She needed to share the good news with her boyfriend right away.

She hurriedly pulled her phone out of her handbag and was about to call Hendra. However, before the call could even connect, Bagas spoke again, abruptly stopping her movements.

“But you have to leave this house. And don't expect to take even a single cent of my money with you. I'll freeze all your debit and credit cards,” Bagas declared firmly.