“My hunch was right then. Someone is sabotaging the company. I have a strong feeling Daniela’s behind all of this. I need to break into the mansion. Speed is the name of the game. And if all I have to do to win is to dig up dirt, then I’m gonna need a shovel.”
Romina had a meeting with the workers in charge of production and she asked them about the food poisøñing. One of them told her that they had never experienced something like that before. Mina then told Bonita to talk to the victims so they could find out the time they had bought the products and the batch of the corned beef which had been affected. Bonita then reminded Mina that she had a hearing to attend as Savannah spied from outside.
Romina went to the washroom and Savannah came up a second later and chained the door. Mina then started pounding on the door for someone to open and Savvi ran off. Savannah walked into the courtroom as Bernard was trying to reach Romina on the phone. Savvi joined Daniela and told her that she had done something to make sure Romina missed her hearing.
The judge came in. “Attorney Tejada. Where’s Mrs. Mondragon,” she asked.
“As you can see, she has no plans of showing up,” Danny girl barked.
Romina came in just then, much to Daniela’s surprise. She eyed Daniela as she made her way over to Bernard. Mina then showed Bernard a video of how she had been locked inside the washroom and then escaped. “Attorney Tejada,” said the judge. “Your client must have a valid reason.”
Bernard approached the bench and showed the video to the judge after she gave him permission. “Someone was trying to make sure my client wouldn’t make it for this hearing. But she was determined to get here.”
Romina eyed Daniela and Savannah. Nica and Maureen told Marga about how Kristoff had posted online that he was courting Cassie. “Even though she’s poor, she’s still happier than you,” Nica teased.
“So?”
“We all know you’re affected since you like Kristoff.”
“But it doesn’t mean I can force him to like me.”
“Still, Cassie beat you again.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m just stating a fact.”
“You’re talking like Nadya now? Are you on my side, by my side or in my freaking way? You know me. I don’t go over whoever’s blocking my way. I run them over.”
Nica remained silent. “Good choice,” Marga barked. She then walked away and started crying. Back in the courtroom, Romina took the stand and Bernard asked her about Mr. Capistrano (the goon who had planted the bømb on Robert’s chopper). Mina said she had never met that man before and neither had she talked to him on the phone.
“The person I was talking to at the time is right here in this courtroom,” Mina said. “Isn’t that right, Daniela? I was talking to you and Robert about the statement you gave the police in relation to my räpë case.”
A flashback was shown of Romina, Daniela and Robert. “I know you remember what I’m talking about, Daniela,” Mina added. Bernard glanced at Daniela and smiled.
“That bästärd,” Danny girl bitçhëd. “I’m sure he planned to lead that question toward me.”
Back at Maxwell, Marga approached Cassie and started with her nøñsënse. She showed her a photo of herself and Kristoff and Cassie told her she didn’t have to explain herself to her. “I like Tope,” Marga said. “Stay away from him if you don’t want any trouble. I will not allow you to steal Tope as well.”
“You might like him,” Cassie began. “But he isn’t your property, Marga. And you’re in no position to tell me to stay away from my best friend. If you like Tope, you should talk to him instead of me.”
Cassie started walking away and Marga grabbed her hand. “Who told you to leave? I’m not done talking to you.”
Cassie gave Marga a look. “Again, you’re in no position to stop me from leaving either, Marga. Quick reminder, don’t drag me into your drama. I have already unsubscribed from your never-ending issues.”
“How dare you,” Marga barked, raising her hand in an attempt to släp Cassie.
Cassie held Marga’s hand in midair. “You can’t hurt me anymore, Marga. If you want a punching bag, head down to the gym. Blow off some steam.” Cassie threw Marga’s hand away and stormed off. In a washroom at the court, Daniela was asking Savannah about how Romina had been able to make it for her hearing. Mina came in and they fell silent.
“You can continue the story,” Mina taunted. “Maybe you want me to tell you how I got out. It wouldn’t surprise me if you were behind the company’s current situation.”
“I won’t sacrifice the company for that,” Daniela claimed. “Everyone knows you’re guilty of mürdëriñg my father. We’re just waiting for the court to sentence you.”
“You know, Daniela. We can find out right now if you are really telling the truth. This is one of the things Cindy taught me in prison.”
A flashback was shown of how Cindy had made her extra large muscle dunk Romina’s face into a barrel of water. Romina grabbed Daniela and dragged her over to the WC. “Are you going to confess or get your hair wet?”
“If you don’t let her go, I’ll call the police,” Savannah threatened.
“Go ahead,” Mina hissed. “Let’s see what happens when they learn that you were the one who locked me in the restroom.” Mina forced Daniela’s head a little down. “Once I prove that you were responsible for what happened to the products, I’ll drag you back to jail myself. I’m sure Cindy will be happy to see you again.”
“I’ll sue you,” Danny girl said. “You won’t get away with this.”
“I have no plans wasting my time with you.” Mina released Daniela. She broke the door handle and locked Danny girl and Savvi in.
In class, Mrs. Alfonso announced that both Cassie and Marga had qualified for the finals of the Maxwell Prime award. The entire class gave a clap offering. Fatima and LJ congratulated Cassie. Mrs. Alfonso then told them that they would be going through a final interview to show why they deserved to win. Kristoff congratulated Cassie. Romina and Bonita watched the CCTV footage of the product delivery. Bonita notified her that some of the men weren’t employees of Camila.
“My hunch was right then,” Mina stated. “Someone deliberately brought us rotten meat. Someone is sabotaging the company.”
“Who?” Bonita asked.
“I have a strong feeling Daniela’s behind all of this. She did this to prevent me from attending my hearing.”
“But how will you prove what you’re saying?”
“I need to break into the mansion. Daniela herself said that the information I’m looking for is in there.”
“But Romina…”
“Speed is the name of the game. And if all I have to do to win is to dig up dirt, then I’m gonna need a shovel.”
Cassie was talking about the Maxwell Prime with her friends. Fatima and LJ told her that Marga would probably do anything to prove that she was better than her and Cassie told them that she was ready for whatever Marga would throw at her. Marga came over with Nica and Maureen. “So you wanna go against me?”
“Why?” Cassie asked. “Are you scared?”
“No. I’m just concerned. Have you forgotten whoever wins Maxwell Prime would be sent to London? That means you’ll have to leave your mom and your friends.”
“Not just that,” Maureen cut in. “Everything with Kristoff. Are you sure you can leave him?”
“Someone might snatch him,” Nica added.
“Like Marga,” Maureen said. “Right, Marga?”
Marga gave Maureen a look. “Are you done?” Cassie asked. “You say you’re concerned but we aren’t even close. Nothing can change my mind about Maxwell Prime. I will fight, and I will win.
“What about those freaks?” Marga asked, gesturing to Fatima and LJ.
“They’re happy for me,” Cassie shot back. “Because true friends are always supportive, not backstabbing.”
After Cassie left with her friends, Marga told Nica and Maureen that she would make sure Cassie failed her interview. Carlos approached the president of Primarosa and invited him out to lunch. The president was worried about Camila’s food poisøñing issue and Carlos assured him that he would talk to his wife about it and solve the problem. Daniela and Savannah were back at the mansion after a janitor had found and released them. Daniela vowed to get back at Romina by giving early retirement packages to her supporters so she could get rid of them all. Romina told her family about her decision to break into the mansion. Neil, Bonita and Jepoy told her that it was dangerous and Mina said nothing was impossible and they could ask the right person for help.
“But everyone who works there is loyal to Daniela,” Jepoy stated.
“Not everyone,” Mina corrected. “We have an ally. Nanny Esther. She defended Cassie from Daniela. I’m sure she’ll help us out.”
Cassie walked in. “Help with what, mamma?”
Marga ran into Alvin and told him about the Maxwell Prime finalist interview that would be taking place tomorrow, adding that Cassie would be going to London if she won and he wouldn’t be able to see her again. Back at the Andrada house, Romina managed to deflect Cassie’s question about Esther and told her about her hearing instead. Cassie then told her that she was a finalist for Maxwell Prime and that the selection committee would drop by tomorrow for a final interview. Mina congratulated her and promised to give them a warm welcome. After Cassie left to go get changed, Mina told Neil to stay with Cassie tomorrow because she would be needing Bonita and Jepoy.
“Where will you go?” Neil asked.
“To the mansion,” Mina replied. “Cassie said that they would be expecting guests tomorrow, so their security wouldn’t be so tight. And that’s my chance to get into the mansion without being noticed.
At the mansion, Carlos asked Daniela to exclude Primarosa from Camila’s food poisøñing issue so it could help with his promotion. Danny girl was reluctant. “Aren’t you always saying that you’re a Mondragon?” Carlos taunted. “We’re living in this house, even though it’s not yours. Do this favor for me.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Cassie asked her mother whether she wasn’t worried about her going to London once she won the Maxwell Prime. Mina told her that she had grown into a strong young woman and there was no reason for her to stop her since it was her dream. “But I don’t want to leave you,” Cassie said. “Especially with Daniela around.”
“Don’t worry about me. Just focus your energy on finishing your education. Because no matter what Daniela does, she can never take that away from you.”
“But wouldn’t it be too expensive for you?”
“Cassie, I’m your mother. Let me worry about that. No matter what happens tomorrow, I’ll make sure you can finish your studies.”
At the gambling den, Hector told Alvin to make sure Cassie didn’t win the Maxwell Prime award. Kristoff helped Neil and Cassie to put things in place. The selection committee arrived a moment later and Cassie introduced Kristoff and her uncle Neil to them. Alvin came in and introduced himself as Cassie’s father, much to her horror. At the mansion, Marga instructed the maids and Nanny Esther about how to attend to the guests they were expecting. Daniela came over and Marga told her that she was being considered for the Maxwell Prime award along with Cassie.
“Why don’t you give this to Cassie?” Daniela asked. “You don’t need this anyway.”
“Are you serious?” Marga said, horrified.
“If you want to study in London, we can afford the schools there.”
Marga bitçhëd, saying that Cassie had taken a lot from her and she wouldn’t allow her to beat her again. Daniela then assured to help her get the award. Neil, Kristoff and Alvin stood on the balcony as they listened and watched Cassie’s interview. Neil asked Alvin to leave but he didn’t want to. “One last question,” said one of the judges. “Why do you think you deserve to get the Maxwell Prime?”
“In my opinion,” Cassie began. “All Maxwell students deserve the Maxwell Prime because we all study really hard. But if there’s one thing that separates me from them, it is that I’ve already overcome a lot of difficulties, not just academics.”
The judges seemed impressed, whispering and nodding among themselves. “I’ve experienced the pain of bullying,” Cassie went on. “Finding out that I’m adopted, the dëäth of my father and my mom’s imprisonment. But I didn’t let it weigh me down. That’s why if you’re going to choose me, I won’t waste that opportunity.”
Alvin came in and started making a scene. Cassie asked him to leave but he went on to slander her mother. Kristoff tried to get him to stop and Alvin punched him. Carlos had a talk with the president of Primarosa and assured him that the company’s name would be cleared from Camila’s food poisøñing issue. He then said that his superior was giving him a hard time and the president offered to transfer him so he could take over his position as assistant manager.
Carlos smiled. “It’s your call, sir. Do what you think best.”
Myrna asked Kulas why he was all dressed up and he told her that he was taking Jessa out. He bought some jewelry from a neighbor and showed it to Myrna. “What do you think? Nice, right?”
“Yeah. Who’s that for?”
“Who else? Obviously not you.”
“Why are you giving Jessa that? Is she your løver now?”
“Why do you care? It’s my money.”
“Kulas, you’re asking money from your son just to give your løver jewelry?”
“You have no right to lecture me. What you did is worse. Just focus on keeping this house clean. Don’t meddle in my affairs.”
Back at the Andrada house, Cassie tended to Kristoff’s bruised lips. She then confronted Alvin and demanded that he leave. “Don’t waste your breath,” Neil said to Cassie. “If he won’t leave, fine. I already called the cops.”
A moment later, Gino rushed in with his brother and Neil told him about how Alvin had been harassing them lately, even going to the extent of punching Kristoff. “That’s not true,” Alvin said. “I just wanted to be with my daughter.”
“Yet you punched Tope,” Neil pointed out. “That’s child abüse.”
“Is that true?” Jude asked.
“Yes, sir,” Kristoff replied.
Jude turned to Alvin. “You better come with me to the station.”
After talking to someone on phone, Hector asked one of his men to get the car ready because they were going to the police station. Outside the mansion, Jepoy regrouped with Romina and Bonita and told them that Marga and Daniela were waiting outside for the visitors while Nanny Esther was in the garage. After the judges drove into the mansion and were being attended to, Romina took advantage of the distraction to climb in. Esther gave her a signal to move and Mina ran for cover a second before Daniela glanced at where she had stood earlier. Daniela eyed Esther suspiciously as she came over.
Romina climbed onto the mansion’s roof as the judges started their interview with Marga, who was bragging nonstop about her achievements and why she deserved the Maxwell Prime. Meanwhile, Esther helped Romina into the mansion as Marga kept yapping and talking down Cassie and her neighbourhood in the living room. Esther took Romina to the master bedroom and told her that Daniela had never been able to open Robert’s safe because she didn’t know the combination. Mina punched in the combination and took out an envelope. As Mina was making her way out, she bumped into something and it fell. Daniela noticed the disturbance and saw Esther coming down from the stairs.
Romina made her way down onto the floor. She was cornered between some workers and the dog who was in it’s cage. As she noticed Daniela instructing the guard to go round the house because she suspected someone had broken in, Mina stealthily lowered herself down into the pool after hiding the envelope she had taken. Daniela went by the pool and Mina sank deeper into the water as she had a brief talk with a maid. Daniela glanced at the pool before walking away. “Guard, did you see anyone?”
“No, ma’am.”
Daniela walked away from the pool. Romina came out of the pool, retrieved the envelope and shushed the caged dog to be quiet as it started barking. She noticed the shredded pieces of paper in the trashcan and she took them and went to give the dog a treat since it wouldn’t stop barking. Daniela ordered the guard to go and check who the dog was barking at. She noticed that someone had been in the pool earlier. Meanwhile, the guard ran to the backyard and found it deserted and the trashcan disturbed. He also noticed the dog chowing down on something happily. As the interview was ongoing in the living room, Marga and the judges overheard Daniela ordering the servants to release all the dogs because she was sure Romina had broken in.
Marga approached Esther. “What’s going on? I heard aunt Romina’s name.”
“Your mom thinks she broke in here,” Esther said.
“What? Don’t tell me you helped her.”
Esther was silent and Marga seemed to have forgotten that she had important guests over. “How dare you?!” Marga bitçhëd, shoving Esther much to the surprise of the judges. “I knew you were still on that woman’s side. You betrayed us.”
“Excuse me, Marga,” said one of the judges. “The interview is over.”
Marga ran over. “No. Let me explain.”
“I think we’ve learned enough. We’ll get back to you with our decision. Good luck.” The selection committee left and Marga glanced at Esther in horror.
