“Her family is going through something, so instead of fighting with her, I will k!ll her with kindness. And I also believe that no one is actually born cruel. Even Marga. Am sure there is goodness in her heart somewhere.”
Robert asked if Mina had spoken to Daniela and Mina said they had talked, and she (Mina) was going to continue honoring their agreement. From the look of things, Daniela and her family would be staying longer than expected; Robert apologized for it and Mina said it was fine since he and Cassie seem glad about Marga’s presence in the house.
“I can put up with Daniela as long as I need to,” Mina said. “As long as both of you are happy.” Daniela had arrived on the scene unnoticed, listening in from where she stood behind the door.
“That’s why I lövê,” Robert said. “You never give up, no matter what we’re going through.”
“I promise never to give up, Robert. You’re the only man who’s ever fought for me. And I would never forget that. I promise that nothing would ever come between the two of us.” Robert smiled while Daniela, who seemed annoyed now left her hidden place behind the door.
Daniela stood by the poolside. Marga came and greeted her and Daniela asked if she wanted to go for a swim.
“Not yet, maybe later when cassie’s awake,” Marga replied.
“Why do you feel like you have to wait for Cassie?”
“Well, because they own this house.”
Daniela laughed. “Marga, they don’t own this house. All of this is ours.”
“But mommy, they’re the ones living here,” Marga pointed out.
“For now. But I am setting things in motion to change that. All the real Mondragons will live here in the mansion, and the fake ones would go back to the slums.” Robert was approaching them but none of them had noticed yet.
“Fake?” Marga seemed confused. Robert had stopped dead in his tracks, listening.
“Daniela?” Robert announced his presence and Marga went to greet him.
Daniela asked whether he had been standing there for a long time and Robert said he had just got there. He asked Marga to go and get ready so she could leave with Cassie together. Marga left to get ready and Daniela thanked Robert for taking care of her daughter. Robert told her that he should have done that a long time ago and Daniela said they should just forget about the past.
“Let’s just forgive and forget, dad,” Daniela told her father
“Yes…and I hope you can accept both Romina and Cassie.”
“Let’s see,” Daniela said. “It might take me a little time.”
“Okay. That’s good enough for me. Thank you.”
Mina came into Cassie’s room as she hurried to get ready for school. Cassie was excited that she was going to school with Marga and Mina asked if the both of them were now really friends.
“I hope so. I never treated her as an enemy,” Cassie said, smiling.
Mina said she knew that, and then she mentioned that the two of them had had some misunderstandings before. Cassie said she couldn’t give up on Marga so easily, especially now that her family was having problems. Mina said she was right, but she still needed to be careful.
Robert dropped off Cassie and Marga at school and asked which ice cream they preferred. Marga asked what it was for, and Cassie explained that it was an after-school treat; whenever her father came to take her home, he always brought snacks, and they also ate out sometimes. Robert said it was his way of motivating Cassie to study harder and a great chance for some bonding time.
“Is that how you and your dad bond too?” Cassie asked.
“Ummm…” Marga was at a loss for words. “We go out sometimes, but daddy doesn’t have the same interest as me so I’m closer to mommy.”
“Well… come with us later,” Robert offered. “Ice cream or shaved ice?”
“Ice cream,” Marga said excitedly, laughing.
“Okay.” Robert said while Cassie smiled. “Approved,” they both said simultaneously.
The bell rang and the girls bid Robert goodbye and left together while Robert looked on, a satisfied smile on his face. At the Mondragon Mansion, Carlos got up from his wheelchair and made an attempt to walk again. He ended up falling down. Again. He groaned out in pain and Mina, who had been walking by the room, heard him.
Romina rushed in and found Carlos lying ‘comfortably’ on the floor. Mina helped him up and assisted him to sit back in the wheelchair. Carlos seemed to be holding on to Mina’s hand more tightly than was necessary. Mina shook free of his grasp and asked why he was forcing himself to walk.
“It will only make your condition worse,” Mina warned.
Carlos thanked Mina and she just stared back at him. Mina tried walking away and again, Carlos grabbed her hand. Again, Mina shook off his hand and Carlos asked if they could talk.
“Why? Is there anything we need to talk about?” Mina asked.
“About us. About what happened before,” Carlos said.
“Which one? You’ve made a lot of different mistakes towards me.”
“And I am asking for forgiveness for all of it,” Carlos said.
“What difference does it make?” Mina asked. “Even if I forgive you, that won’t bring my mother back.
Carlos said he couldn’t forgive himself for what had happened and Mina told him that that wouldn’t change what had happened. Mina said she was grateful for his betrayal though. “If you didn’t hurt me, I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now with Robert and Cassie. So if you really are sorry about what you did, Carlos, then please don’t ever mention our past to me again. I won’t let you ruin the family I have now.”
Daniela came in. “What the hell?”
“Keep an eye on your husband,” Mina said to her. “Tie him up even, if you don’t want him to break another bone.” Daniela gave Mina a look as she left, while Carlos seemed embarrassed.
Daniela gave Mina’s photos to a maid and demanded that she throw them away. The maid was reluctant because she didn’t want to get into trouble for it.
“Do you know who I am?” Daniela asked. Sighing, she turned around and was about to remove the huge photo of Robert and Mina which hung on the wall when Naana Esther came in and asked what was going on. Daniela told her to brief the workers because they didn’t follow her orders. The maid told Esther that Daniela wanted her to throw away Mina’s pictures.
“Give me that.” Esther took the photos from the maid and asked Daniela why she would do something like that.
“I’m bored nanny. I want to renovate,” Daniela said.
Esther told her that she had to notify Mina first because she was her father’s wife, and the person who ran the house.
“But I am the daughter,” Daniela objected.
“She’s married to your father. Like it or not, Daniela, she has the right to live here.” Esther pleaded with her not to cause any trouble so she didn’t get into another fight with her father. Silently, Daniela stormed off without another word.
Carlos had gone to the hospital to enquire about his therapy. Jude told him that the process was expensive and he would need to go through with it if he really wanted to walk again. “The doctor also said that the therapy will take some time,” Jude said. “Do you want me to move into the mansion to take care of you and keep you company?”
“No, I can take care of myself. Plus they’re helping me out there.”
Jude asked whether Mina was the one who was helping him, and Carlos said they had already talked it over and it was all in the past now. He added that he regretted hurting Mina, but Marga wouldn’t have existed had that not happened.
Daniela and Savannah had met up with a businessman. Daniela seemed distracted. She asked the man if he had made his decision and the man said he couldn’t work with her because she was in bankruptcy and the banks wouldn’t give her any loan.
“Then what the hell are you still doing here?” Daniela was pretty upset. “Get out of my face.” The man stood up and left silently, and Savannah was amazed at her friend’s behavior.
“Girl, relax. What’s up with you? You’ve been grumpy.”
Daniela complained that everything had changed since she returned to the mansion. Savannah suggested that she leave the house but Daniela was against the idea, saying that she wouldn’t allow the benefits of her mother’s hard work to go to the ‘fake Mondragons’. Savannah told her that she should have realized that sooner, and not now that she had lost everything.
“The fight isn’t over, Savannah. I will find a way. Romina and her daughter will be out of the house by the time I’m done.”
At Camila, Mina told Bonita that she had gotten over Carlos a long time ago. She worried that Daniela might have misinterpreted things when she had gone to help Carlos earlier in the day.
“Romina, no one said attaining world peace would be easy,” Bonita said. “And remember, two queens can’t sit on the same throne. You should always be ready to fight.”
“That’s not necessary, Bonita. Daniela can keep the crown. I just want to keep peace for my family. But if she insists on destroying that, I won’t even think twice about fighting her back.”
At Maxwell, the Mean Squad approached Marga and Nadya asked whether she had really come to school with Cassie.
“Why are you asking?” Marga said. “Are you going blind, Nadya?”
“OMG. Are you rich again?” Maureen asked foolishly with excitement.
“When did I ever become poor,” Marga asked. “Have you forgotten? I am a Mondragon. Rich is in my blood.”
The girl who had made fun of Marga in school yesterday stood nearby with another girl, mocking Marga.
Marga confronted them and said that she was giving them the permission to gossip about her because she was that fascinating. “Wow… your headband is so cute.” Marga grabbed the headband and the girl asked her to give it back. Suddenly, Marga broke the headband deliberately. “Oh no…I broke it,” she said, pretending to be surprised. “Oopsy.” The girls ran off.
“Welcome back, Marga,” Nadya said. Marga turned back to face the Mean Squad, smiling back at them. Fatima stood behind a wall, silently watching.
Cassie asked LJ whether she had told the principal what she had done. No response. Cassie told LJ that she had to take responsibility for her actions, and she had given her enough time to tell the truth. “We have to tell the principal today,” she added.
“I know what I did was wrong, Cassie, but Marga deserves it.”
Fatima was approaching them when Cassie told LJ that she still had to apologize to Marga because Marga had suffered because of what she had done. LJ worried that Marga might bully her more than ever if she ever found out. Cassie mentioned that Marga was different now, and they were now even friends.
“You’re wrong, Cassie,” Fatima said, announcing her presence. She sat next to LJ as Cassie asked what she meant. “Marga hasn’t changed,” Fatimrevealed. “After you two arrived in school, she broke a junior’s headband.”
The working day was over at Camila, and Mina went to Robert in his office so they could leave together. Robert had a phone call and Mina answered. Some korean exporters wanted to meet Robert and Mina offered to talk to them on his behalf.
Robert declined even though he seemed worried about the promise he had made to Cassie and Marga to take them shopping. Mina told him that she should leave the girls to her and she would make sure that they have fun. Back at Maxwell, Cassie had told Fatima about what LJ had done.
“You’re right Cassie, she should apologize for what she did,” Fatima said. “But not to Marga.”
Cassie didn’t agree. Fatima told her that what LJ had done was nothing, compared to Marga’s bullying. Cassie said they didn’t have the right to hurt others even if some people have hurt them. Fatima asked if she was defending Marga.
“I’m not defending her,” Cassie said. “Her family is going through something, so instead of fighting with her, I will k!ll her with kindness. And I also believe that no one is actually born cruel. Even Marga. Am sure there is goodness in her heart somewhere.” Fatima frowned at that. “And I’ll try to bring it out of her, but I can’t do that if I pick a fight with her.”
Fatima shrugged. “Good luck.”
“Come on, you’re all so slow. What are you, turtles? Pick up the pace.” Marga was ordering the juniors to pick up every single copy of the ‘Marga Poor Girl’ photos littered around the floor. “Come on, faster!”
Cassie came by, asking Marga what the juniors were doing. Marga told her they were getting rid of those ‘ridiculous photos’. Marga added that they had been gossiping about her. “Plus, they volunteered to do this, right?”
“Yes, Marga,” the juniors said in unison.
“I think whoever spread my picture is the same person who vandalized the Maxwell wall while wearing my jacket,” Marga said. “They want to ruin my name, so whoever that person is, they better prepare themselves, because I will make that person pay for what he or she did to me.”
Cassie said they weren’t even sure if it was the same person who had vandalized and spread her picture.
Marga wasn’t even listening. “What kind of punishment should I give that person?” she asked herself.
Cassie was agitated. “Marga, don’t. Don’t do it. Just let the school decide the proper punishment for that person.”
“Cassie why are you so scared?” Marga asked. “You’re not the one who vandalized the wall… unless you know something.” Marga made a face. “Do you?”
“Marga, it’s…” Cassie tried to say but Marga interrupted her. Some dignitaries had arrived at the school for ‘Maxwell Prime 2018’. Just like every other year, they would be selecting the brightest students from every Maxwell school branch all over the world. Marga explained to Cassie that whoever was chosen would have the chance to study in the Maxwell school in London.
In class, the teacher told them that there would be three selection categories; academics, extracurricular and conduct. There would be a leaderboard where points would be awarded for extracurricular activities, conducted among others. The student who scored the most points would be awarded the ‘Maxwell Prime Student of the year’.
The trophy for the ‘Maxwell Prime’ had been displayed outside and everyone was staring at it in awe. Nadya commented that Marga would be lucky to get it.
“I will get that,” Marga said to her.
Later on, Marga was still staring at the trophy after everyone else had left.
“Looks like you really want that award,” Cassie commented.
“Who wouldn’t?” Marga asked. “Maxwell London is the place to be. Kids from the richest families in Europe study there…it would help you build powerful connections. If you get in, your future is pretty much secured.”
Cassie told Marga that she was fine with the Maxwell they were in, and she didn’t want to leave her parents behind. Marga said it was her main goal to get into Maxwell London so she could help out her parents for them to be proud of her. Mina called Cassie on the phone and asked them to come outside so they could go do their shopping.
That night at the Mondragon Mansion, Daniela and Savannah walked in as Marga and Cassie were excited about the things they had bought. Mina told Daniela that they had gone shopping and she hoped she was fine with it. Daniela said it was okay with her since it was her father’s money after all. She asked everyone to excuse them while she had a talk with Savannah. Daniela complained to Savannah about the things Mina had bought for Marga.
“That woman is really getting on my nerves,” Daniela said. “I’m itching to fight back but I can’t. I can’t do anything in my own house.”
“You can b*tçh all you want, Danny girl,” Savannah told her. “You have to act, and not talk. Don’t you already have a plan?”
“I am taking back everything that’s mine. Everything. I won’t leave anything for Romina.”
“That’s what you bought? That’s so cheap.”
Daniela picked up the clothes Mina had bought for Marga and threw them away. Marga explained that they were the best clothes she could get since Mina had given them a budget. Daniela was upset, saying that the money didn’t even belong to Mina.
Daniela promised Marga to take her shopping at her favorite place and Marga was excited. Mina sat at the dining table with Daniela and Carlos. Naana Esther came to tell her that the kids had fallen asleep and she had set aside some food for them in case they woke up.
Robert joined them and asked Mina how the shopping had gone. Mina said it had been manageable because she was teaching the kids how to budget their money. Daniela commented that her daughter wasn’t used to that and Mina said she was just teaching Marga to differentiate needs from wants.
“I want a position in the company,” Daniela announced.
Robert asked why she had suddenly changed her mind since she had always declined whenever he offered. Daniela explained that she was doing it for Marga, and she was also doing so because he had been grooming her to take over the company some years ago.
Robert agreed to give Daniela a position at Camila. He glanced at Mina, and Mina forced a smile. At the rented house Kulas and his sons were staying at, Kulas complained about the renovation of his house being too expensive, even asking if the house was made of gold.
“I don’t even earn much at the car repair shop,” he added. Jude told him that he didn’t have any money left since he had already used it to pay for their rent. Kulas scolded Gino, telling him that he could never rely on him because he preferred unprofitable gigs over looking for a permanent job.
At Camila, Daniela talked to Savannah on phone about the marketing position which would be vacant soon. “I’m sure dad wouldn’t be able to say no to me,” she said. “Especially if I tell him that I will tolerate Romina in return. I’ll pretend to be kind to her, and once I get what I want, she’ll never know what hit her.” Mina walked up to her after she had hanged up. “What are you doing here?” Daniela asked.
“I’ll be supervising you,” Mina told her.
“Supervising me?” Daniela laughed. “Who do you think you are?”
“I’m your boss, Daniela.” Danny girl was shocked.
Back at the rented house, Kulas complained that their current situation was all Daniela’s fault. Jude pointed out that Daniela couldn’t give them any money because she was broke.
“That’s what makes me mad,” Kulas complained. “We were just helping them, but we ended up suffering.”
Gino said he had signed up for a competition which could earn him a lot of money if he won. Jude also said that he had applied for a loan.
“We shouldn’t be suffering because of Daniela,” Kulas said to them.
Back at Camila, Daniela mocked Mina. “You make me laugh, Romina,” she said to her.
“I’m the acting marketing BP. I’ll be training you,” Mina told her.
“You’ll train me? But I have a higher degree than you do.”
“I’m more experienced and knowledgeable,” Mina shot back at her. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“No,” Daniela said, smiling. “I’m just surprised that the secretary is now the boss of the owner’s daughter.”
Mina told Daniela that her family name didn’t hold any power in the company and all that mattered there was skills and training. She took Daniela to the marketing room and began explaining things to her. Daniela asked about the allowance she was entitled to and Mina gave her one of the company’s credit card and asked her to keep the receipts for accountability. The annoying Mrs. Galvez came in, glad to see that Daniela was back. Mina excused herself and left.
“So, are you here to finally take over your mother’s company?” Mrs. Galvez asked.
Daniela smiled. “I’m on my way there.”
“So glad to hear that. Let’s do it.”
“Yes.” Daniela smiled and laughed wickedly.
Cassie came out of the bathroom and tried on some of Marga’s clothes. Marga caught her in the act and asked her to make her parents buy nice clothes for her too. Cassie said she wouldn’t look good in them and she even had other clothes.
“Your old fashioned clothes and ‘church dresses’?” Marga asked. “Come on, Cassie. We both know those clothes are outdated. You’re basically the only 15 year old I know who dresses like that. You have all the money in the world. What’s wrong in updating your style?”
“Mama doesn’t want me to wear clothes like that,” Cassie replied. “Because I might get unwanted attention.”
“So you’re saying I’m asking for attention?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Whatever,” Marga said. “You’re not a six year old anymore. You shouldn’t dress like a kid.” Marga left and Cassie turned to face the mirror, a frown on her face as she tried on her own dress.
At Maxwell, Marga approached the Mean Squad after she had asked Cassie to go on without her. Nadya was upset that Marga was now ‘super close’ to Cassie and she hoped they wouldn’t be hanging out with Cassie anytime soon. Or ever.
“Former enemies. Turned best friends,” Maureen commented.
“Best friends? Super close? Guys, are you dozing off? Wake up,” Marga said, snapping her fingers. “You’re all having a terrible nightmare.”
The girls mentioned that they wouldn’t be surprised if Marga was living with Cassie in the same house too. Marga admitted to it, saying that it had been her grandfather’s idea and Cassie’s house was also hers after all.
“So that means you are now Cassie’s puppy dog,” Nadya commented, leaving Marga shocked and speechless. “Like a dog. You only hang out with her because you depend on them. You are not independently rich anymore.”
“I am no one’s little dog,” Marga said. “And I would never ever be. I’m rich because am a Mondragon. Cassie’s always hanging out with me because she wants to be like me…but she will never be like me. I will always be Marga, and she will always be the wretched Cassie.” Marga invited them out but Nadya declined.
“I can’t. We have a thing later,” Nadya said.
“Thing?” Maureen seemed confused like always.
“We have a thing, right?” Nica gave Maureen a look, trying to give her the signal. Maureen shook her head.
“What thing? Tell me,” Marga said.
“Something,” Nadya replied. Nica was smiling while Maureen still seemed clueless. “A family thing. Sorry. Let’s go girls.” The Mean Squad left, leaving Marga behind.
Mr. Kulas came to see Robert at the mansion. He asked whether Daniela was there and Robert said she wasn’t in the house. Robert asked what the matter was. Kulas told him that there was something he needed to know about.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush. I’m sure you heard that our house burned down,” Kulas said after they had sat down.
“I did.”
“I don’t know what Daniela told you but…she caused the fire. And now I have to rebuild our house.”
Robert was surprised. “Is that so?” he asked, shaking his head. “How much would it take to rebuild your house, Mr. Kulas?”
Kulas said he needed a lot of money and Robert brought out his cheque book and asked if he had an amount in mind.
“You know how expensive materials are nowadays,” Kulas said, stretching out his neck to see the amount Robert would sign.
Robert signed the cheque and gave it to him, telling him to let him know if he needed more. Carlos came in, aided by his crutches. He asked his father what he was doing there. He then turned to Robert. “Why are you giving him money?” he asked.
At Camila, Neil was briefing Daniela about the presentation she had to make but Daniela didn’t seem to be listening, yawning and looking bored. Neil asked if she was sleepy and whether she wanted some coffee. Daniela told him she would like that. She even went ahead to tell him to get her a particular type she liked.
“Madam, there’s coffee in the pantry,” Neil said to her. “And anyone who works here gets their own coffee,” Neil added, stressing his point. “So I hope you will be more attentive when you get back because we still have a lot to do.”
Daniela stared up at him in boredom. “Darling, why does it seem like you’re ordering me around? You’re starting to offend me.”
Neil chuckled. “Which part offended you, so I can say it again?”
“I dare you to say that again.”
Silently, Neil picked up his laptop and walked away while Savannah came running in, shouting ‘Danny girl! Danny girl!’. One of the workers eyed her.
“So, how is your first day at work?”
“The worst day of my life,” Daniela replied. She glanced at Neil who had gone back to his seat. “People who are below me are ordering me around.”
Back at the Mondragon Mansion, Kulas told Carlos that he had just made Robert pay for what his daughter had done, and he (Carlos) couldn’t even help because he couldn’t even walk now. Carlos promised to come up with something
“When son? When we’re half-dead, starving?”
“Dad, you don’t have to beg for money,” Carlos said to him.
“What are you talking about? Begging? I’m asking for compensation.”
After Kulas left, Carlos told Robert that he shouldn’t have given his father any money. Robert said it was his daughter’s fault that Kulas’ house had burned up, so he had to pay for the damages. Carlos said Robert should have talked to him first and Robert told him that he didn’t see anything wrong with what he had done.
At Maxwell, the principal told the class that the selection for ‘Maxwell Prime’ had begun. She wished them well before the councilor dismissed the class. Fatima commented that Cassie could be the winner and Krisroff jumped in, saying playfully that he didn’t plan on losing. Cassie said that winning wasn’t her main agenda.
Meanwhile, Marga asked the Mean Squad if they would not congratulate her in advance “You’re now looking at the new ‘Maxwell Prime’ student of the year.”
“Are you still confident that you’ll be chosen as Maxwell Prime?” Nadya asked.
“I am more than confident. I got this, Nadya. And no one would stand in my way.”
Nadya mentioned that she had already lost points for conduct and Marga said that was why she had to find out who had really vandalized the wall. “I won’t let some inferior, lower-class person ruin my chances of being number one.”
Nadya pointed out that Cassie was still in the classroom. Marga turned around. “Oh, Cassie. You need to help me find out who really vandalized the wall, got it? Both our reputations are on the line, so you better help me, okay?” Marga and the Mean Squad left while Cassie glanced at a frightened LJ nervously.
