“I enjoy hearing your voice when you’re stressed, Daniela. Send as many people as you want, but you won’t get me into trouble. I will bring them down one by one. Until you’re the only one left. Enjoy everything while it lasts. Because when I get out of here, I will make you pay with your life.”
Bernard told the judge that it hadn’t been proven that Romina was the one who had ordered the hit on Robert, and that anyone could have pretended to have been Romina since Mr. Capistrano (the goon who had planted the bømb in Robert’s chopper) had not even met her then. “Your honor,” Bernard said. “Mr. Capistrano’s statement is not enough proof to accuse Mrs. Mondragon of such a serious offense.”
“But that doesn’t prove that your client is innocent,” the prosecutor countered.
“What matters is that my client has not been proven guilty either. And yet, she’s in jail. Suffering for something she didn’t do. Isn’t it injustice to put someone behind bars before the verdict is out? That’s why your honor, the defense will like to post bail for Mrs. Mondragon. She shouldn’t be sent to jail until proven guilty of all the accusations levelled against her.”
“No,” Daniela interrupted. “I won’t let that happen. That woman k!lled my father. She should pay for what she did to him.”
“Order in court,” the bailiff warned. “One more of this, and I’ll hold you in contempt of court.”
Daniela was forced to shut up and sit down. “Attorney Tejada, you can go ahead and file the petition for bail,” said Judge Maria.
Daniela looked on angrily as Romina glanced at her løvëd ones, smiling hopefully. After the hearing, Daniela complained to the prosecutor about how Romina was likely to get out of jail now. The prosecutor asked her to calm down. He then assured her that they had witnesses who could prove Romina guilty for the bail hearing. “You better win this case,” Danny girl warned. “Because I don’t like losing. You will not like the consequences if Romina gets out of jail.”
Back in the now empty courtroom, Romina was nervous and Bernard asked her to relax, telling her that there was a high probability of the bail petition being approved due to how the hearing had gone. “I got arrested even though I’m innocent,” Mina said.
“That won’t happen again,” Bernard assured. “We discredited their strongest evidence against you. The expløsives in your car was just circumstantial evidence, so have faith in the process.”
“Thank you.”
“This is just the beginning. I’m sure Daniela will do everything she can to make sure that you rot in jail. But I’ll do everything I can so you can go free. Make sure to stay out of trouble, or your petition for bail might get denied.”
“I won’t let that happen, Bernard. You’re right. This is only the beginning. We’ll level the playing field once I’m finally out of here.”
Daniela organized a get-together party for the board and told them that she was looking forward to her dad’s mürdërer rotting in jail. She then gave them each a gift – plane tickets for their whole family’s vacation. “Accomodation has been paid for. All you have to do is show up at the airport.”
“Isn’t that too much?” asked a board member. “Doing this won’t change our minds about taking over your dad’s position.”
“It’s just a token of my appreciation. It has nothing to do with our company’s issues. Please, just accept it.” Daniela sat. “Especially now that everything is going my way,” she thought to herself.
Jessa went to Kulas’ house and complimented Myrna on her cooking skills. Kulas however complained that she only cooked the same food everyday. Myrna asked him to tell her what he would like her to cook for him. “Forget it,” Kulas said. “I’ll eat out. Jessa, do you wanna join me?”
“What about the food Myrna made?” Jessa asked.
“She can eat it herself.” Kulas left to go and get ready and Myrna asked Jessa what she was up to.
“Are you jealous?” Jessa asked.
“Stop. I’m not messing around.”
“But he asked me politely and I didn’t wanna be rude and turn him down. Someone’s getting jealous.”
“You wish.”
Mrs. Galvez cautioned Daniela that her decision of firing too many employees would definitely make news, and that she had to have had a valid reason for that. Daniela told her that she was just removing all of Romina’s allies out of her way.
Neil and Bonita took their issue to the labour department and the woman who attended to them assured them that they would have the matter investigated and settled. “Thank you so much, ma’am,” Neil said. “Our employer didn’t even give us the chance to defend ourselves. She used her position to do this.”
“We would have accepted this if it was justified,” Bonita added. “But she only did this to make us suffer.”
“Don’t worry,” the woman said. “We will contact your fellow workers who also got terminated. If we find out that you were all wrongfully dismissed, we will help you get your jobs back.”
“Our employer is really treacherous,” Neil said. “What if she refuses to give our jobs back?”
“No one is above the law. If she doesn’t comply, we can close down the company.”
Pilar cautioned Romina to be careful since Cindy would probably get back at her for making her talk. “I’m ready for her anytime,” Mina declared. “This place has made me stronger. It’s time we settled this once and for all.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t risk everything. Especially now that you have a chance to get out of here.”
Hector stood at the main gate to the mansion and asked a guard about Daniela. The man told him that Daniela wasn’t at home and he didn’t know when she would be coming back. Carlos arrived and he asked Hector what he was doing there. Hector claimed that he was there to visit his niece and Carlos told him to drop by earlier next time since Cassie was probably asleep now. “What’s wrong?” Hector asked. “I just want to see my niece.”
“If she wanted to see you, she would have come out already. Next time you’re coming here, call us. Don’t just show up unannounced.”
“You’re so full of yourself. And that ride of yours, must be nice to live off your wife.”
“What did you say?”
“Wasn’t that loud enough? I said you’ve got a nice car. It’s easy when your wife does the work.”
Carlos punched Hector and Hector returned the favor, sending him flying down to the floor with a single blow as if he was merely a bag of wind. The guard came out to separate them but Carlos got up and threw another punch and Hector rewarded him with a busted lip. Daniela arrived and asked what was going on. “That man came here to insult me,” Carlos said.
“Is that true?” Daniela asked.
“I am just here to visit my niece,” Hector said. “But your husband here is recklessly insane. He can’t even pack a punch.”
Carlos tried going after Hector again, but Daniela held him back. “You’re behaving like children,” Danny girl said. “Hector , if you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.”
“See that?” Hector mocked as he started walking toward his car. “Your wife’s really tough. Ask her for tips.”
“You want another round?” Carlos asked, having no shame of his busted lips. In their room, Daniela told her husband to control his temper since he was getting irritable lately. Carlos took offense and told her that Hector was the one who had started the fight.
“Be the bigger person,” Danny girl said. “You should ignore degenerates like that. Think of what people will say. You caused a scene outside.”
“That man insulted me, and now you’re doing the same thing?”
“I don’t mean it like that.”
“He insulted me to my face. Am I supposed to thank and applaud him? I’m a good person, but I have my limits. I won’t let anyone insult me, let alone my own wife.” Carlos stormed away and opened the door to find his bratty daughter standing there like a terrible plague. He stared at her for a while and carried on.
A moment later, bratty daughter was crying by the poolside when Cassie approached her. She bitçhëd and asked whether she was happy over her parents’ argument and the thing with Kristoff. Cassie told her that she knew how it felt when her parents argued. “And about the thing with Kristoff, your friends were only being mean, not to me but to you. No decent person will use that against anyone.”
“Cut the crap,” Marga barked. “We both know you enjoyed Nadya’s little show. Drop the good girl act. No one’s buying it, especially me.”
“Don’t take your anger on me, Marga. We both know this isn’t the first time your friends betrayed you. If there’s someone you should blame, it’s yourself. They’ve backstabbed you so many times but you keep going back to them. It’s not my fault if you don’t choose your friends well.”
“Because they’re all I have,” Marga wailed. “You turned everyone against me. You even stole Kristoff, the one true friend I actually had. I’ll take everything from you no matter what it takes. Until you have nothing left either.”
Cassie was flustered. “Alright. Blame me all you want, but between the two of us, you’re not the victim. Your mistakes aren’t my fault, Marga. So if you want to blame someone, look in the mirror.”
Cassie stormed off and Marga yelled out like a dying chicken being strangled to dëäth. Yeah. A dying chicken being strangled to death. Carlos went to visit his family and told them about how he had gotten his ass handed out to him in such fashionable manner. He got offended when Gino told him that he should have just ignored Hector. Jude suggested that he report him to the police but Kulas was against it. “Real men fight with their fists,” Kulas said.
“That scoundrel just caught me off guard,” Carlos claimed. “I would have just bashed his face in.” Yeah, right.
Kulas recalled the day he had caught Daniela talking to Hector about Romina’s räpë case, and how he had promised to keep her secret. At the city jail, Romina dragged Cindy into the washroom and demanded to talk to her boss. Cindy mentioned that she had already met her in court. As she tried walking away, Mina yanked her back and Cindy threw some few punches at her. Mina recovered quickly and beat the crap out of her. Romina held Cindy in a chokehold. “I guess you forgot. I’ve already learned my lesson, and I won’t make the same mistake twice.”
“Alright. You win. Let go of me.” After Mina released her, she gave her Daniela’s number and started walking out. “Just leave me out of your stüpïd feud, nutjob.”
Romina dialled the number. “This is not a good time to talk, Cindy,” Danny girl said. “Don’t add to my stress.”
Mina laughed mockingly. “I enjoy hearing your voice when you’re stressed, Daniela.”
“Who is this? Romina?”
“I’ve already discovered who your minions are in here. And if you’ve got more to send, go right ahead. I will bring them down one by one. Until you’re the only one left.”
“You’re overconfident, Romina. You’ll never get your revenge, because you’ll stay in there forever.”
Mina laughed again. “Enjoy everything while it lasts, Daniela. Because when I get out of here, I will make you pay with your life.”
Bonita visited Romina in jail and told her about the workers Daniela had fired and how they were planning a demonstration. Mina told her that she was hoping it didn’t damage the company’s reputation. “Who will stage a protest?” Bernard asked, walking in.
“All the workers Daniela fired on the spot,” Mina explained.
“I’ll try and talk to the board about it. But the way things are, most of them seem to be under Daniela’s control now.”
“Bernard, I need to get out of here or the reputation of our company will go down in flames.”
“That is why I’m here. The prosecution has filed an objection against our bail petition. But our petition might be approved because until now, the other side has not presented any other evidence to counter us at all.”
Romina exchanged smiles with Bonita and Bernard. Roxy asked her father about what had happened to his face, and Hector told her to forget about it. “Have you looked in the mirror?” Roxy asked.
“Am serious,” Hector admonished. “Forget it.”
Daniela stormed in and started ranting. Hector sent Roxy to her room and Danny girl ranted some more. “You had no right barging into my home and ättaçking my husband.”
“I was just defending myself from that arrogant pushover,” Hector said. “Acting all cocky, but knocked down by a single punch.”
Daniela släppëd Hector. “You have no right to talk about my husband like that. Don’t push me. If this is how you’re going to play, then let’s all burn in hell.”
“Okay. I’ll leave your husband alone. Happy now? Now get out.”
“Use those brains, Hector. He’s already suspicious about us. We have an urgent problem and you have to focus on it.”
“What’s this urgent problem?”
“Romina filed a petition for bail. If the court approves it, we’ll get more than just migraines. If Romina goes free, say goodbye to Cassie’s inheritance that you want to claim.”
“No way. We can’t allow it to happen.”
“Then you should do something about it. Fabricate some evidence to make sure that you get Cassie’s inheritance. And this is the last time I’ll tell you this – stay away from my husband. Stay away from my family.”
At Maxwell, the Mean Squad tried to convince Marga that all they had been trying to do was to help her with Kristoff so Cassie would back off from him. Alvin told Hector not to waste his time on Daniela because she had gotten Romina räpëd just so she could have Carlos to herself. “Especially now that Romina might go free.”
“I know,” Hector said. “But it’d be nice if you came up with a solution for once instead of lecturing me about how I live my life. Use your head sometimes. Once we figure this out, we can regain Daniela’s trust and get what we all want.”
Daniela met up with Savannah. After talking to the prosecutor on the phone and telling him to make sure Romina’s bail petition wasn’t approved, she got upset when Savvi asked whether she hadn’t found any new evidence yet. “I’m just asking, Danny girl,” Savvi said. “I’m not the enemy. Hasn’t Hector found anything?”
“Those īdiøts. They have the nerve to ask for money, but everytime I need them, they just can’t deliver.”
“Maybe you have to think outside the box. Any ideas?”
“There are so many ways to make sure Romina doesn’t get out of prison. If I can’t get evidence against her, then she needs to do something to have her bail denied.”
“What’s the plan?”
“I don’t just have a plan. I even have the right person to do exactly what I want.”
At Maxwell, some students asked Cassie to join them for a science project work they had been given. As Marga stood by listening, one of the girls told Cassie that they had to buy some solar panels for their project which would cost 30,000 pesos. They asked whether she wanted to come with them to buy the stuff but Cassie told them that she had something else to do. After the girls left, Marga came over and started with her usual nøñsënse. “Are you ashamed to tell them you can’t afford the solar panels for the project?”
“I have nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I can afford them with my allowance.”
“You do remember that I have your ATM card, right? And whatever you have is gone.”
Cassie was horrified. “What? I need that money for my school project.”
“You boasted to my mother that you’d pay, so I took everything.”
“Fine. I’ll figure something out, Marga. I’m sure of it.”
Cassie told her friends about the situation she was in, adding that it was partly her fault since she had insisted on paying for the painting. Fatima mentioned that Marga was taking advantage of the situation to make sure that she didn’t catch up to her so her grades would be affected.
“I’ll figure something out,” Cassie declared.
“I can ask my mom to help you out,” LJ offered.
“I’m sure my mom will help out too,” Fatima added.
“I appreciate your gesture,” Cassie began. “But I can’t accept your offer. You know me. I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about me.”
Later that night at home, Cassie was going through some notes when Marga came over and started videoing and mocking her. Cassie grabbed her stuff and left the living room as Marga bitçhëd some more and then invited the Mean Squad for a sleepover. In her room, Cassie counted the money she had and realized that it wasn’t enough. She glanced at her handbag and an idea popped into her mind. Neil came in and Cassie asked whether he knew where her old clothes and bags were.
“It’s in my old room that was turned into a storage room,” Neil replied.
“Thank you,” Cassie said glady.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m gonna go look for a miracle.”
Daniela talked to Cindy on phone and asked her to accept her offer and name her price since they both had a score to settle with Romina. “Half a million. Will that be enough? And that’s just your share because I’ll pay your accomplices separately.”
“What do I need to do?”
“It’s simple. Put Romina in a situation where she has to hurt other people. And if she k!lls somebody in the process, I’ll double your little fee.”
“Okay. I’m ready for the full million.”
“Consider it sent.”
Back at the mansion, Cassie auctioned her old things and put them up for sale. Neil worried that she was selling too much and Cassie told him that she didn’t use them anymore. Fatima and LJ helped Cassie in sorting out some clothes and she thanked them. They then gave Cassie some of their old clothes as well and they started taking pictures to post online. Jude was getting ready to leave for work when his father told him that he would be going with him to the station so he could find out where Hector lived. Gino asked him not to get involved but Kulas told him that he wouldn’t let what ‘that criminal’ did slide and neither would he allow anyone to insult his sons.
“Dad…” Jude objected.
“Are you going with me or not?” Kulas asked. “I need to know where that bästärd lives.” Kulas walked out.
“He’s made up his mind,” Jude said to his brother before going after his father.
Kulas confronted Hector at his place and told him that he wouldn’t allow him to ruin his son’s life. “What’s your problem?” Hector asked in annoyance.
“You’re my problem,” Kulas shot back. “Stay away from Carlos’ family. I’m his father.”
Hector recalled the fight with Carlos earlier and smiled. “So that arrogant bästärd is your son. Too bad he doesn’t have guts like you do. Tell him that he needs to man-up. Where did you get my address.”
Kulas laughed. “I’m a former cop,” he bragged. “And I have a son in the force. You don’t know who you’re messing with. Don’t you ever insult my son.”
“You better watch your tongue. I don’t hold back against anyone.”
“I’m not afraid of you. I know about the secret you and Daniela hide. One word from me, and you’ll end up in prison.”
“So what? Are you going to use that against me? Who do you think will suffer the consequences? Daniela will. What do you think will happen if your son finds out that you covered for Daniela’s little crime? You still want to send me to jail? I’ll drag Daniela down with me. Go ahead, old man. Just try it.”
At the mansion, Marga and the Mean Squad were relaxing in the pool. Nica asked Marga about her next move for Kristoff. “What?” Marga said. “Why should I be the one to make a move?”
“Things have changed. If you like a person, you should just tell them already instead of hiding it.”
“Nica, there are better things I need to focus on right now.”
“Like what?” Nadya asked. “You’re still the top student in Maxwell.”
“Yeah. But I have to make sure that Cassie doesn’t ever catch up.”
“Well, if you make sure she doesn’t complete her project, your place will be secured,” Nica said.
Maureen went through her phone. “Check out Cassie’s posts. She’s selling some cool things online.”
“That’s so cheap,” Nadya said.
“I agree. Who buys secondhand stuff?” Nica added.
“But her things are branded,” Maureen argued. “Some haven’t even been used before.”
Marga took a peek at Maureen’s phone and quickly got out of the pool and told a servant to alert her mother that there was something going on she had to know. Meanwhile, Fatima and LJ suggested that they study for the exams together. Cassie thanked them for all their help and sent them on their way. At the city jail, Cindy met up with some of her gäñg members and told them about the deal she had been offered earlier.
“What’s the plan?” one asked.
“We’ll start right tomorrow,” Cindy replied. “And we’ll make sure Romina gets cornered.”
“What if she fights back?”
“She’ll be playing right into our hands. Just make sure that she hurts someone. Let’s see if she can still get out after that.”
Back at the mansion, Daniela walked into Cassie’s makeshift boutique and accused her of making her family look poor and cheap. Cassie told her that she wasn’t doing anything wrong. “Are you forgetting you’re a Mondragon?” Daniela asked.
“I know that. But daddy did something like this before setting up his company.”
Daniela took offense and threw in some money to cover up the cost of everything. She then called out to some servants and they came and started taking out Cassie’s things to throw away. Bratty daughter stood close by, smiling to herself like the glorified a$$ she was. In their cell, Pilar asked Romina whether she was ready.
Mina said she was. She thanked her for all her help and promised to return the favor once she was out of jail. Cindy came in with her gäñg and started mocking her. “Look at this idïøt. She thinks she’s getting out of here. Don’t be so sure, Romina. You and I will rot here together.”
“Together?” Mina said. “But you were already rotting before I got here. You’re like a dead fish that someone put lipstick on.”
Cindy’s extra large muscle laughed and she turned and gave her a look. “Don’t act so smart, Romina. Be a little nice because you’ll be seeing me for a very long time.”
After Cindy left with her gäñg, Pilar addressed Mina. “You’ve already proven that you’re stronger than her. But remember, a lion knows when to retreat from a battle. Not to give up, but to prepare for it’s next ättaçk.”
Marga was back in the pool with Nadya and Maureen, telling them about how happy she was seeing Cassie torn apart as her things were being thrown out. “But she can use that money for her project,” Nica said.
“Cassie’s too proud to use my mother’s money,” Marga bitçhëd. Suddenly, Cassie came out of nowhere and jumped into the pool with Fatima and LJ.
“What are you doing here?” Marga asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Cassie said excitedly. “We’re swimming.”
“Can’t you see I’m still using the pool? You’re not allowed here. Get out.”
Cassie laughed. “We’ll leave you alone as long as we stay on our designated sides.”
After bïtçhiñg some more, Marga left with her squad and Fatima and LJ asked Cassie whether Daniela had hurt her. “She knows better not to,” Cassie said. “Even though she paid for the things, it was still a waste that she threw them away.”
“So are you going to use her money for your project?” LJ asked.
Cassie smiled. “Yes. What’s wrong with using the money? I didn’t even ask for it in the first place.”
“Let’s just forget about that and enjoy this night,” Fatima said.
The girls then playfully started splashing water on each other. The next morning in jail, Cindy signaled her extra large muscle and she pushed Romina and Mina glared at her. Cindy came over. “What do you want to do to my friend?”
Cassie approached Daniela and tried to return what was left of the money she had given her earlier. “So proud,” Danny girl accused.
“Not really,” Cassie said. “I was just taught to be content with what I have. And what’s necessary.”
“You still don’t know whether your mother will get out of jail to take care of you. Consider it as a generous donation.”
Back at the city jail, Cindy started shoving and provoking Romina. “Come on. Let’s beat her up,” she said to her gäñg.
Romina got ready to fight. The entire place was chaotic and out of control as Cindy and her gäñg advanced toward her. Daniela sat at the visiting area, smiling to herself and Savannah commented that she seemed happy.
“I feel like this is going to be a good day,” Danny girl said.
“A day good enough to pay Romina a visit?” Savvi asked. “Don’t tell me you’ve had a change of heart.”
“That will never happen. I’m just here to see for myself how misëräble she is, especially since the ruling on her bail petition is coming out today.”
“What if it’s approved?”
“Then it’s going to be a very short approval. Like I said, there are other ways to make sure she rots in jail. And I came here to see if I succeeded.”
Romina came out a second later, unscathed and Daniela was shocked to the bone. “What’s the matter, Daniela?” Mina teased. “Are you surprised to see me unharmed? That your plan failed?”
Flashback : During a weeding session some time earlier, an inmate told Romina that she had overheard Cindy saying that she wanted her to hurt another inmate to get her into trouble so her bail would get denied. “What do you wanna do?” Pilar asked.
“We’ll make them think we don’t know about their plan,” Mina said.
Another flashback showed Romina escaping Cindy and her gäñg and shouting out for the guards who came in and subdued Cindy and her gang. “Send as many people as you want, but you won’t get me into trouble.” Present : “That was your plan, right?” Mina asked. “To get me into trouble so my bail will be denied? But it didn’t work, Daniela.”
