“Why don’t you say that in front of my face? Grow up, Daniela. Don’t wait for the children to grow more mature than you. If you don’t change, you might end up working for them.”
At Maxwell, LJ went to her locker and found all of her books destroyed. Nadya came up to her and mocked her before going back to join Marga and the others.
“You’re not worth it, useless w!tch,” Marga mocked before leaving with the Mean Squad.
Fatima came in a few seconds later and found LJ crying. She asked what had happened and LJ told her that it was Nadya. Fatima comforted her. “Cassie needs to know this,” she said.
At the mansion, Esther confronted Kulas about his sons taking a bath in the swimming pool. Kulas said they had just played with the water, and that was why they were wet. Kulas accused Esther of being like Mina and acting as if she owned the house.
“I was just asking a question,” Esther shot back at him. “We just finished cleaning the floor. Look what they’ve done. Now it’s all wet.”
“Then you just clean it again,” Kulas told her. “That’s what you’re payed to do, right?.”
“You’re crossing the line,” Esther said in annoyance before storming off.
Kulas then had a phonecall which left him stunned and astonished. It was Myrna, his ex wife. Fatima and LJ found Cassie with Kristoff. Fatima told Cassie that Marga and her friends had bullied LJ.
“Cassie, what happened before is happening again,”LJ cried. “They are bullying me again. Marga wants to get even with me.”
At Camila, Daniela invited Mrs. Galvez out to lunch tye. Mrs. Galvez said she had a board meeting tomorrow, and Daniela told her to invite the entire board to come along then so they could reschedule the marketing strategy presentation.
Mrs. Galvez agreed to it. After Daniela left, she made a phone call and asked someone to call all the board members and change the venue. Neil was standing nearby, and he had heard everything.
Mina was reviewing the proposal for the board when Neil came in. Neil was nervous about making the presentation tomorrow. He asked where the new venue would be. Clearly confused, Mina told him that they would be having the meeting at the office like they always did.
“But I heard Mrs. Galvez earlier,” Neil said. “She was changing the venue for the board meeting.”
“What? I wasn’t informed about this. Where?”
Neil thought for a moment. “That Daniela…”
“What about her?” Mina asked.
“I saw her coming out of Mrs. Galvez’s office. That was when she changed the venue. I am sure she is trying to sabotage you.”
“Daniela will never stop.”
” You’re right. Why don’t you tell Mr. Robert about it so that she’ll be kicked out of the company? She’s pissing me off too, Romina.”
“Neil it’s okay. I can handle her. I’ll show her what her stepmom is capable of.”
Daniela came back from work to find Kulas still in the mansion. She asked how Carlos’s therapy was going and Kulas told her that Carlos was recovering from the fractures. He added that Carlos had told him about what had happened last night.
“Yes, dad. It’s because of that Romina. She’s such a flirt. She wants Carlos to come to her this time.”
“Then you’re not going to let that happen.”
“Don’t worry dad. I’ve already figured out a way to get rid of Romina.” Danny girl said.
Kulas was more than happy to hear that. “That’s good. And remember, whatever you do, I’ve got your back.”
Cassie followed Marga into their room after arriving from school. She asked that they talk and Marga told her to text her because she was very busy and she still had club work at school. Cassie asked why she had bullied LJ.
“LJ?” Marga seemed confused. “Oh, you mean that freak? Why? What’s wrong?”
“I already told you not to hurt my friends, right?”
“So you’re blaming me again.”
“Marga, you’re the only one who’s mad at her.”
“And now you’re judging me. How nice of you, Cassie.”
“If you don’t want to admit it, then fine,” Cassie said to her. Daniela was coming in. She now stood by the door, listening. “But don’t do it again, or else I’ll report you to the principal.”
“I can hear you from outside,” Daniela said, announcing her presence. “Are you two fighting?”
Cassie and Marga glanced at each other. “No we’re not, mommy,” Marga said.
Daniela walked up to them. “Good. Because I don’t want your relationship to be affected because of the little misunderstanding between I and your mom.” Daniela then told Cassie not to pick any fight with her daughter.
“But Daniela if she’s wrong…”
“You should know better Cassie,” Daniela said, cutting her off. “I’m your older sister, and you’re Marga’s aunt. I am sure that you won’t do anything that will ruin our relationship.”
Marga was working with her dance group when she noticed some of the delegates of Maxwell Prime approaching. She intensified her performance and even took some selfies with them later on.
Marga then made a live recording while they stood by, praising herself for her excellence in not just academics but extracurricular activities as well. The delegates gave her a thumps up. They later went to see Cassie and her art collection.
“Very good,” one said.
“Good job,” another added, and Cassie thanked them, smiling.
Daniela met up with the board members at the new venue. One of them asked if she had something to explain to them. Daniela was confused so the man explained that Romina’s secretary had just called him and informed him that the presentation would go through. Daniela apologized and said that she would talk to Mina about it later.
“But before anything else, I need to talk to you about her proposal.” Daniela added. Mrs. Galvez smiled at her in appreciation.
At Camila, Mina congratulated her team for completing the task she had given them. Bonita came in with Neil and told Mina that they had gone to the boardroom but there was still no one present.
“I think Daniela has done something again,” Bonita commented.
“What are we going to do?” Neil worried. “Should we go home?”
“We’re doing the presentation,” Mina said.
Back at the new venue, a board member realized that it had been Daniela’s plan all along to deceitfully drag them out of the office. Daniela told them that Mina was being unfair to her, adding that she had rejected her proposal because she was her stepdaughter.
“We know Romina. She wouldn’t do that,” another member said.
Mrs. Galvez tried to paint a bad picture about Mina, saying that she and Daniela knew Mina’s ethics since they all worked in the same office.
“So what do you want us to do?” another asked.
“To prove to you that am better,” Daniela replied. “Here’s my proposal.” Daniela passed on copies of the document around the table, and exchanged a mischievous smile with Mrs. Galvez.
At Maxwell, the students were nervously waiting for the updated positions on the leaderboard. Cassie was in first place now. She was excited. Marga came up and saw the leaderboard. She looked like she was about to cry.
“Congrats,” Marga said.
Cassie suddenly stopped celebrating and turned to face her niece. She looked kind of uncomfortable. “Thank you,” she said. Fatima dragged her along to celebrate.
“Looks like Cassie’s really challenging you,” Nadya commented. “What now, Marga?”
Marga was vengeful. “We have to destroy Cassie,” she said angrily. “Dragon vs Dragon.”
Daniela asked the board if they would approve of her proposal.
“I do,” Mrs. Galvez said quickly.
Just then, Mina walked in. “Hello,” she said with a smile.
“What are you doing here?” Daniela asked. “How did you know we were here?”
Mina told her that she was also there for the same reason she was there. “Looks like you’re done with your presentation. But there’s still something they need to see.” Mina surveyed the room. “Perfect. You’re done eating. The conference room is ready. Coffee and desserts will be served. Let’s go.” Mina smiled and walked away while Danny girl was burning up with anger.
At Camila, Neil made his presentation to the board in the conference room, explaining that their product would not only be able to make huge sales but they would also be able to help those in need to start their own business. “There will also be a high demand for our products. It’s a win-win strategy,” he added.
“What do you think?” Mina asked the board.
A board member spoke up. “It sounds good, but…”
“Compared to Daniela’s presentation?” Mina asked.
“I know that dad said I had to learn how things worked around here,” Daniela jumped in. “But I believe that business involves politics.”
“And we all think you shouldn’t reject Daniela’s proposal, Romina,” Mrs. Galvez added.
“I am the Vice President for marketing and operations,” Mina said. “That’s what I do… approve proposals.”
“Just hold on a minute, Romina,” Danny girl jumped in. “I am not here to declare war. I’m here to win this. Now let’s vote and get this over with.”
“So what’s your decision?” Mina asked the board.
“I vote for…”
“But let me explain why I rejected Mrs. Bartolome’s,” Mina said, cutting off Mrs. Galvez. Danny girl rolled her eyes. “Her proposal is largely based on social media. And we all know by experience that won’t target the core market of Camila Sardines.
“Our market is in rural areas, such as workers and farmers who live simple lives. Parents like us, and helpers who don’t have time for social media, because they’re more focused on working to provide food on the table.”
“Are you taking this personally?” Daniela asked. “Can’t handle my brilliance?”
Mina ignore Danny girl. “If only Mrs. Bartolome studied the marketing study I gave her, she would understand why I rejected her proposal. And it’s not politically motivated.”
A board member spoke up, saying that Mina didn’t even have to say anything because what Daniela had done was unethical. “The fact that she went behind her superior’s back shows what kind of a team player she really is.”
Another member sided with Mina, and soon, almost the entire board had agreed to her proposal. Daniela glared at Mina and left.
Daniela stormed into the marketing room. “That b*tçh!” she said angrily. “She’ll be sorry.”
Mina had followed her. “What did you say?” she asked. She told the other workers to excuse them. “Why don’t you say that in front of my face?” Mina dared. “Am warning you, Daniela. If you try to pull this kind of insubordination again, then I’ll give you what you’re looking for.”
“Are you threatening me?” Daniela asked. “Will you bombard me with manners? I also have my bag of tricks, Romina. And no matter what happens, I am still the daughter of this company’s owner.”
“Is that what you really want?” Mina asked. “For everyone to think you got this position only because you’re the owner’s daughter?”
Mrs. Galvez went to Robert’s office to complain to him about Mina, saying that all that Daniela wanted was the board’s consideration and Mina had made an issue out of nothing.
“That’s not the version I heard,” Robert said to her. “Majority of the board voted against Daniela’s proposal, and Romina has nothing to do with it.”
“But she accused Daniela of insubordination.”
“And it’s valid.”
“But if Romina hadn’t made a case against Daniela, then the board would have been able to consider both proposals fairly and they’ll find out that Daniela’s proposal is way better than that of the marketing teams.”
“I know my wife very well,” Robert said. “And none of this has anything to do with their personal problems.”
Back at the marketing room, Daniela mocked Mina, saying that they were both in the same situation. “The only reason you’re here is because my father married you.”
“You’re actually wrong about that, Daniela,” Mina told her. “Whatever I have now is because I worked hard for it. That’s why our employees respect me because they know that. You can’t expect them to respect you because you didn’t work hard for anything. Respect is earned, not demanded.”
Mina turned to leave and Daniela angrily threw a document at her. She turned back to face her. “Grow up, Daniela,” she said. “Don’t wait for the children to grow more mature than you. If you don’t change, you might end up working for them.”
Back in Robert’s office, Mrs. Galvez gave Robert a copy of Daniela’s proposal, saying that she was doing it not because she was on Daniela’s side, but she wanted what was best for the company. She added that Mina had to set aside her personal problems with Daniela when it came to business.
“I know my wife well,” Robert repeated. “This is nothing personal. Yes, I agree with you. Am impressed with the proposal,” Robert added. Mrs. Galvez smiled, thinking she had hit the jackpot.
“But it’s not aligned with the vision of the team leader, so it’s not going to work. We’re trying to teach Daniela how to be a team player. If she does whatever she likes, she’ll never learn.”
Daniela complained to Savannah over the phone. “Who does she think she is? She may have gotten her name on that door, but that will never change the fact that she’s just my dad’s glorified secretary. She doesn’t deserve that position.”
Savannah told her to relax because she would lose the fight if she went out of control, adding that it was her fault for being away from the company for so many years. “And no matter how brilliant you are, your stepmother is already in the position. She has control and advantage over you.”
Mina went to see Robert in his office. She told him that even though she was Daniela’s superior at work, she would never abuse her power and try to control her.
“I know that,” Robert said . “She came up with a brilliant proposal and am sad it got rejected.”
Mina told Robert that she also felt the same way because she had thought that Daniela would see the rejection as a challenge and learn from her mistakes. “If she wants to be heard, then she must know how to listen, and that is what I will teach her.”
Robert told her that he was blessed to have her in his life because she still thought about Daniela’s wellfare in spite of all the things she had done to her. Back at the marketing room, Daniela was still complaining to Savannah over the phone, telling her that she was sure Robert would take Mina’s side when he came to know about the situation.
Daniela threatened to take away Mina’s positions as a wife and Vice President of Camila. Back in Robert’s office, Mina told Robert that she was concerned about Daniela since she was his daughter and part of her life now. “I just want her to respect me. If she won’t, then how can I help her perform better at her job?”
Back in the marketing room, Danny girl went on with her ranting. “Never underestimate a daughter with a grudge,” she said. “Her biggest mistake is allowing me to return to this company. Now I am her problem. And this is just the beginning.”
Robert had a talk with Daniela in his office, telling her that Mina was her boss in the project and she needed to respect her.
“How did I disrespect her?” Danny girl asked. “I even allowed her to be my boss even though my educational background is better than her.”
“The project is all about teamwork,” Robert said. “Romina knows what she’s doing, and you have to respect her for that… it’s not going to work. This company will turn into a circus if you keep fighting.”
“What are you saying, dad?”
“If you keep fighting then maybe it’s best that…”
“Best what?” Daniela cut him off. “I’ll be removed from the project? I’ll be out of the company? Dad, I made a mistake,” she cried. “I’m sorry dad. I know I was wrong, but don’t be unfair dad.”
“So what’s this? Another promise?”
“Dad, am sorry. This won’t happen again.” More crying. “Can’t you understand why am doing this? I have to prove myself to you, the company and everyone else because they think I got this job because am your daughter.
“I would feel so worthless…if you fire me from this company, it’s like you’re telling them that they’re right. Dad please…I just want to prove to myself and to you that am not worthless. Just one more chance, please.”
“Alright. Okay,” Robert finally said. “I’ll give you another chance. But don’t ever do that again. You should learn how to be part of a team. Romina is there to help you; think of her as your ally, not your enemy.”
“Thank you so much dad. I promise you won’t regret it.” She hugged father. “But she will,” Danny girl said in her mind. “Game on, Romina.”
Cassie arrived home alone and greeted Carlos. Carlos asked why Marga hadn’t come along her. He then asked whether they had had a fight again. Cassie quickly said it wasn’t so and Carlos told her that she could tell him if they had any misunderstanding.
“Marga feels bad towards me now,” Cassie admitted.
“Why? What happened?” Carlos asked.
“My friend LJ was the one who vandalized the wall in school but when I found out, I didn’t tell Marga. I was trying to cover up for LJ. I just wanted her to own up to her mistakes, but Marga got mad at me.”
Carlos told her that his daughter was careful in choosing friends and didn’t like to be left in the dark about things, and maybe that was why she had been upset.
“I just don’t know how to fix things between us,” Cassie told him. Marga was coming over when she saw them talking. She hid behind the wall and listened.
“You’ll have to face her, Cassie. Don’t give up on her. That’s what I do everytime she gets mad at me.”
Cassie smiled. “Really?
“I know that Marga is a good child. Her anger towards you and her friends will soon subside. Just don’t give up on her.”
Bernard came to see Robert in his office, and told him that the situation at his home and workplace was all his fault. “You knew Daniela didn’t like Romina since the beginning.”
Robert told him that he had always wanted to live with his daughter and granddaughter in the same house. “You know how many times I asked Daniela to join the company and she refused. But I was happy when she finally accepted my offer. But I never expected that this would happen – that she would create such a mess in our house and in the company. But I still need to be there for her.”
“But I just want to remind you Robert,” Bernard said. “You need to be prepared. As long as Daniela and your wife aren’t getting along well, you’ll always be caught in the middle.”
At the mansion, Cassie came into the room they shared to find Marga sitting on her bed, her arms folded defiantly. She was staring at Cassie as she went to make her bed ready.
“What is it, Marga?” Cassie asked.
“You told my dad about our fight.”
“What?”
“Don’t try to deny it, Cassie. I heard you two talking about what that freak did to me.”
“Marga, I didn’t tell on you,” Cassie said. “Carlos asked me if we were getting along. I just answered him.”
“I’m warning you, Cassie. If you try saying bad things about me to my parents, you’ll be sorry.”
“Marga, I’ve apologized to you so many times. Why can’t you forgive me? What should I do to make it up to you?” Daniela was coming into the room when she heard the girls talking. She stopped and listened.
“Nothing. There’s nothing you can do. But why don’t you do all the chores since you like being the center of attention?”
Daniela found Marga in the living room, sitting alone. She told her that she had overheard her conversation with Cassie, then she asked why she hadn’t told her about it.
“I was jus upset,” Marga said. “Cassie’s taking over my life. I heard her badmouthing me to dad. And they’ve upgraded the stands for Maxwell Prime. Cassie is number one. I really can’t be friends with that girl.”
“But Marga, you promised me that you were going to pretend to be nice to her.”
“Do I really have to keep doing that?” Marga asked.
Daniela told her that she had to tolerate Cassie, adding that it wasn’t easy for her to put up with Romina either. She asked Marga to keep on helping her and she agreed to it. Robert joined Mina in bed and told her that he had spoken to Daniela.
Mina asked what Daniela had said and Robert told her that Daniela was frustrated because she felt like she had to prove herself to him. He asked Mina to give Daniela one more chance, saying that he was sure that Danny girl might learn a lot from her if they spent some time together.
“Okay,” Mina agreed. “But I’ll be strict. And I won’t allow her to do what she did to me earlier.”
“The company’s my legacy, and when the time comes, I want you and Daniela to run the company. Side by side.”
At Maxwell, Cassie was chatting with someone on facegram when Kristoff came up and caught her. She pleaded with him not to tell anyone about her secret account, especially her mother. Kristoff asked whether she was not sick and tired of her mother’s strictness and Cassie told him she didn’t really know.
“At times, I feel like she’s too much,” Cassie said.
“That’s why you have a secret account?”
“There’s so much going on at home. Everything’s a mess. This is my only escape,” she explained.
“I’m here if you need somebody to talk to,” Kristoff said. “You don’t need to use your group chat, just call me. Anytime.”
“Thank you,” Cassie said with a smile.
In class, both Marga and Cassie answered some questions on ‘social entrepreneurship’. The teacher announced that their new project work would be based on the subject, and they had to choose their partners and discuss what their advocacy would be. Points would also be awarded for the Maxwell Prime. Since LJ was absent (currently serving suspension) Fatima went out to ask the teacher if she could partner with Cassie.
The Mean Squad complained about the project, and Marga told them that she had to do it for the Maxwell Prime. She picked Nadya as her partner. Kristoff sat by Cassie and asked her to be his partner since most of the class weren’t taking the project seriously, adding that his father had also warned him about his studies.
Before Cassie could respond, Fatima returned and told her that the teacher had agreed that they partner up, adding that LJ would be back before the project deadline. For the advocacy, Cassie said she wanted to help the kids in Novatas and raise awareness about their situation.
Kristoff was on board with it, even suggesting that they use social media to reach out and make their agenda known. Outside the office premises of Camila, Robert asked Daniela if she had talked to Romina yet. Daniela told him she hadn’t, and Robert said he knew it was difficult for her but all she had to do was apologize because her department wouldn’t run smoothly until she had settled the issue.
“Daniela, you have the talent. I am impressed with your proposal,” Robert said to her. “But you need other people’s help, and Romina can help you with that.”
“If that’s what you want, dad. I just want this company to do well. After all, it’s under mom’s name. I just want to bring it to greatness.”
“That’s what I want to hear.”
“I’ll talk to her today. Thank you for your guidance, dad.”
Robert walked away and Daniela smiled to herself mischievously.
Mina and Neil were busy in the conference room when Daniela came in and asked to talk to Mina. Danny girl apologized for undermining her authority and Mina told her to stop telling lies if she was really sorry.
“Alright, you caught me. Am sure you understand why I had to do that.”
“And I hope you understand that this is a team effort. We need to help each other. If you want to succeed you shouldn’t step on other people,” Mina advised.
“I understand that now. Dad was right : I can learn a lot from you,” Danny girl added.
“You’ve got the talent. You just need to learn how to do the tasks. Carry your own weight.”
“Okay,” Daniela said with a smile. “It won’t happen again. Forgive and forget?”
“Okay.”
The other marketing team members came in a moment later and Mina went back to her seat. Neil told Mina not to let Danny girl fool her with her drama. The meeting began after everyone was seated. Mina smiled at Danny girl and
Daniela smiled back at her. Kulas came to meet Myrna. He got upset when Myrna asked how he had been, asking if she had only called so they could catch up with each other.
“Fine. Am doing well,” Kulas said. “What about you? Will you be able to sleep better now?” he asked mockingly.
“How are our kids doing?” Myrna asked. “How is Carlos? Jude?…”
Kulas took offense. “Hold on, Myrna,” he said. “Can you stop calling them your kids? Because you were never a mother to them.”
“I just want to apologize for everything that I did. I’m regretting everything now.”
Kulas sprang up to his feet, pissed off than before. “Myrna, are you still trying to fool me? You were gone for almost twenty years. You abandoned us. You left your own kids for a nobody. And now, you’re here asking for forgiveness?”
“Kulas, calm down,” Myrna pleaded.
“Where’s the man you replaced me with?” Kulas asked.
Myrna shook her head. “He’s gone. We broke up.”
“You’ve been dead to us for years. You shouldn’t have come back.”
Myrna said she knew what she had done was unforgivable. She pleaded with Kulas to give her a chance to make it up to him and be with the kids. “I just want you to give me another chance to make things right, please, am begging you. Just one more chance.”
Kulas eyed her with his one good eye. “It’s too late, Myrna.”
The bell for the last lesson of the day. Fatima came out with Cassie, but then she had to hurry off because her mother would be taking her out. Marga and the Mean Squad confronted Cassie and Marga mocked her about the absence of her ‘freak friends’.
Cassie told her that LJ had already been suspended, and she hoped it would be enough for her to forgive and forget. The Mean Squad laughed and Nadya told her that wasn’t going to happen. Marga then recalled the conversation she had had with her mother, where she had promised to pretend to be nice to Cassie.
“I’ll think about it,” Marga suddenly said. “You can go now.” Cassie walked away.
“You’ll think about it?” Nadya said, confused. “Don’t tell me you just let it go. That’s so not the Marga we know.”
“Who said I was going to let it go?” Marga asked. “Listen carefully. Am just keeping my friends close, and my enemies closer. I’m waiting for the right time and opportunity. Planning is everything, you know?”
