Chapter 68

A few weeks before.

"Don't be too confident that Darwin has changed, son. You should also think that he is doing this all because he is afraid of falling poor and afraid that the woman he loves will make you miserable. Papa is sure, Darwin is deliberately giving in because he doesn't want what he has yours was taken by force."

In Darius' room, and right in front of his father, Velove shook his head repeatedly. He refuted the argument he had just heard. Velove is absolutely sure that Darwin has changed and wasn't as petty as when they first got married. Velove was very sure that Darwin really loved him.

"Darwin has changed, Pa. Besides, he can't possibly go back with his previous girlfriend. Velove is 100% sure of that."

Darius chuckled lightly. No matter how hard her daughter defends, she has already lost respect for her son-in-law.

"Where did you change? If Darwin chose you, then why did he still meet his former lover two days ago? Just so you know, in front of Papa's own eyes, the two of them embraced passionately. Even in a public place. It's embarrassing!"

"No way," Velove shook his head repeatedly. With all his might he denied the accusations that his father had made. "Darwin couldn't have done that. He even promised not to see Vicky again."

"Papa couldn't have seen it wrong, son. There were Nathan and also Adrian there. They both even saw the same thing as what Papa saw. If necessary, just check the CCTV of the restaurant that dad went to the other day."

Velove's shoulders seemed to slump. There was a feeling of disappointment because Darwin had violated the agreement they had made. But, in Velove's deepest heart, she was sure there was a big reason for her husband to do this.

"If it's like this, does a divorce need to be done? Papa doesn't want you to be hurt by someone else, whoever it is, Velove. Papa, your parents have never hurt you even to the point of their fingernails."

Velove rolled his eyes listening to his father's words. With a look of panic, he shook his head again and again.

"No... Velove doesn't want a divorce from Darwin, Pa."

"What else do you expect from a husband like Darwin? In fact, he's already been rude before, son. Did you wait for Darwin to kill you first before you realized?" Darius said so strikingly.

"But Darwin has seriously changed, Pa. Velove is sure that this is just a misunderstanding," Velove debated for the umpteenth time. It was not easy to convince his father to believe in him. "If you still have doubts, why don't you prove it yourself?"

Darius's brow furrowed in reflex. Trying to understand what his daughter just said just now.

"Prove yourself? What do you mean?"

"Yes, Papa, just test it yourself, has Darwin actually changed and now he really loves Velove, or is it just camouflage like what Papa accuses him of."

Darius nodded in understanding. It seems interesting doing what her daughter just said. After all, he really needs to see firsthand what efforts or steps Darwin will take if he is given a challenge or test.

"Okay," Darius nodded confidently. "Papa will prove to himself whether Darwin is really serious about changing like you said or just pretending."

Darius then rose from his seat. The man was getting ready to leave the room. This actually became a question for Velove who seemed curious.

"Where are you going? Papa is going to do something to Darwin?"

Darius nodded. Wasn't Velove himself the one who gave him the advice?

"Of course. Papa wants to prove what you said in his own way."

"Daddy's way, how?"

Darius smiled knowingly. Suddenly many ideas appeared in his head.

"What's certain, Papa wants to meet Gerald first at his residence. He also needs to know how his son's behavior has been. And of course you have to come along. After Darwin's parents' house, Papa will take you home to then pack."

Velove's face suddenly stiffened. Why did his father ask him to prepare, even pack.

"Papa wants, as long as Darwin is tested, you stay with Papa," Darius continued later.

"But, Pa----"

"No buts, Velove. Or do you just want to divorce right away?"

Velove swallowed his saliva. Instead of protesting, he immediately nodded in agreement. It can't be helped, instead of actually getting divorced, it's better for him to just do what his father is ordering.

Like what Darius said earlier, he immediately asked the driver to take him to meet Gerald immediately. Knowing that his best friend was enjoying his time off at home, he immediately approached without thinking much. Arriving there, Gerald immediately welcomed his arrival with the princess.

"It's very unusual for you to stop by without informing us first," said Gerald, inviting Darius and Velove to sit on the sofa in the living room. Usually, if you want to visit, Darius always contacts first. Where ever came directly as he did now.

"I'm in a hurry. There's something important you should know."

Gerald then pulled his face deep. Before he had time to ask, Darius had already offered him several photographs for him to look at.

"Did you know about this before?" asked Darius after handing over what he was holding earlier.

Gerald was silent for a moment. He studied the photos in his hands carefully, then took a deep breath. He was surprised by what he saw.

"This must be a photo taken when Darwin was not married to Velove."

Darius nodded. He did not deny this. The photo that Gerald saw was indeed obtained by Adrian from the documentation before his son-in-law got married.

"That photo is indeed an old collection. It's just that, did you ever know? After marriage, Darwin was still in a relationship with the woman in the photo. In fact, even during his honeymoon with Velove, he brought his girlfriend with him and they spent time together."

Gerald was silent. Wanted to defend his son, but Darius had already spoken. It seemed that there were many things his best friend wanted to convey to him.

"And what's worse, your son has even been abusive to his wife. At the beginning of the marriage, without both of us knowing, Darwin dared to physically and verbally abuse Velove. You know, Gerald? My heart really hears this news."

Again Gerald froze for a few moments. Then the next second the man shook his head. He certainly found it hard to believe what Darius had just said. Especially about the son who apparently dared to be rude to his own wife.

"No way, Darius. I know what Darwin is like. In my whole life, I have never taught him to be rude to women anymore."

"But the truth is. You can confirm directly with your son or Velove."

Gerald then averted his eyes. Staring at Velove, hoping that his son-in-law would testify.

"Is that right, Velove? Has Darwin ever hurt you physically or verbally?"

Velove nodded slowly. But, before his father took over the conversation and made things complicated, he hurriedly gave an explanation.

"But, that was before. Velove admits, in the early months of our marriage he always acted rudely. Maybe Darwin acted like that because he was angry that he had to be married to Velove. But, getting here, Darwin's attitude has changed, Pa. Both of us even really happy."

"Oh my gosh, Velove. Don't be so naive, kid," Darius chuckled lazily.

Gerald who felt bad then approached Darius' position. Grabbing his best friend's wrist, intending to apologize.

"On behalf of Darwin, I'm really sorry. I was negligent in educating him. For God's sake, I don't want this problem to strain our friendship."

"I know," Darius said casually. "Just so you know, I'm also tired of hearing my daughter's plea, who has been asking me to forgive Darwin."

Gerald looked embarrassed. He felt bad for what Darwin had done to his best friend's daughter. In his heart, Gerald promised that if he met Darwin, he would beat up his son because he had done something out of bounds.

"I know Darwin has gone too far, Darius. But, please, give my son a chance to make up for what he did in the past."

"Of course," Darius nodded again. "That's why I'm here. I want to tell you something."

"Something like what?" asked Gerald curiously.

"I'm planning to test your son. I hope you support whatever it is I'm doing."

"If you think it's for the good of our big family, I will approve whatever you do to Darwin later."

Darius grinned broadly. After explaining to Gerald what plans he would do after this, he decided to take Velove home and pack it up before finally bringing him to live temporarily at his house.

***

Darwin gaped after hearing what Darius had just explained to him. He even almost short of breath after knowing that he was being tested all out by his parents-in-law.

"So, this is all the plans Papa has laid out?"

"Yes," Darius nodded. "It's Papa who planned all of this. Including the selection results announced by Foxtail."

Darwin was again aghast. He hadn't finished the shock he had been feeling before, now he had to go back to clarify what he had just heard.

"What do you mean?"

Darius smiled characteristically. Nodding, the man returned to give a long explanation.

"Actually, the Khiel Group passed the selection that Foxtail held. Yes, even though in reality Nathanael still won first place, actually the Khiel Group itself took second place. However, because the original goal was to test you, Papa deliberately negotiated with Foxtail to swap positions. Khiel Group with SexonWorld."

"Wait a minute," interrupted Darwin. "Even if the Khiel Group is returned to its original position, which is second, then what about the Sexon? Won't they protest or be disappointed?"

Darius waved his hand casually. As if Darwin's question was nothing to think about.

"Don't worry, SexonWorld is a subsidiary of the Wijaya Group. So, it doesn't matter if they are eliminated."

Darwin breathed a sigh of relief. In the end, all the hard work he had done in the past few days produced sweet results beyond expectations.

"If only this afternoon you had chosen Velove over the Khiel Group, for God's sake Papa would have asked Velove to divorce you immediately, Win," continued Darius while sipping the tea that Reni had just served. You always think about the fate of many people rather than yourself. Honestly, Papa was impressed by that."

"So, Darwin really passed the test that Papa gave you? That means Darwin and Velove won't get a divorce, right?"

Darius nodded. It couldn't be helped, he had also seen all the effort and sincerity Darwin had put in.

"Yes, Papa is also tired of hearing that Velove is always whining so you can be forgiven."

"Papa...." Velove sneered.

"But, if I may ask, what file did Darwin sign this afternoon?"

Darius laughed. In fact, he had warned his son-in-law to read before signing.

"That's why Papa asked you to read it first. But, you are too arrogant, as if you know what's inside."

"Darwin did that out of desperation, Pa. But, seriously, if it's not a divorce papers, then what's in it?"

That's a post-nuptial agreement and some documents on the transfer of several assets that Papa gave specifically to you. Later, once it's legalized, you can read for yourself what's in it."

"We parents hope that after this there will be no more problems in your household," said Gerald. "Papa personally hopes that the two of you maintain mutual feelings, loyalty, and also understand each other. Don't let the bad things in the past happen again. Papa's prayers, your household will last forever until the end of your life."

Darius in his seat nodded in agreement with what Gerald had just said. He also expressed the same hope for the happiness of his only daughter.

"Remember, Win. Don't let your bad behavior repeat again. If Papa finds out, don't expect a second chance. After all, you should also be grateful because Papa has sent your rival far away, so you both can have a peaceful relationship with your household."

Darwin was stunned. Groping for the meaning of what his father-in-law just said.

"Rival? Rival who, Pa?"

"Nathanael Chandrawinata. Isn't he your rival?"

"Oh, my God," Darwin exclaimed with an understanding face. "So Papa knows that he's Velove's ex-favorite?"

Velove then looked annoyed. Meanwhile, Darius also reflexively laughed. Feeling tickled to see the jealous look that his son-in-law suddenly showed.

"Yes, that's why papa deliberately made him a candidate to advance in the selection that Foxtail was holding. In fact, papa promised him a prize to become the head of a company in Nevada, America, if he passed and won the highest rank. And it was proven, he succeeded in proving his words to be number one."

"That means, after the Foxtail tender is over, Nathan will immediately move to America?"

"Exactly," Darius said as he snapped his finger in the air. "In the near future, Nathanael will even be appointed by other commissioners."

Darwin smiled in relief. In his heart he thanked many times because in the end he could be back with Velove like what he had hoped for before. He even managed to convince his mother-in-law that he deserved to be the princess' companion.

"Because everything is clear, Papa thinks it's time for us to go home. And again, Papa is also aware, surely you two want to let go, right?"

Darwin laughed inwardly. His in-laws didn't know that a few days ago, he managed to sneak into the big Wijaya family's house to meet Velove. Even taking the time to do what a husband and wife should do.

"Once again, thank you for the opportunity that Papa has given you. Darwin promises that he will not waste this opportunity to do stupid things in the future."

Darius nodded. Feeling that he had had enough, he said goodbye, then invited Gerald to leave Darwin's residence together.