“I was right. All the documents were approved by Mrs. Galvez. That’s why Daniela’s so smug – because she has a powerful ally. It’s only Daniela who’s connected to Hector, and Robert discovered it before he died. I’ll use that as evidence she’s involved in Robert’s dëäth.”
Myrna scolded Kulas for having fought with a little girl. The misëräble one-eyed-old man and her bratty granddaughter said that Cassie deserved it. As Myrna treated Jessa’s wound, Jessa began flirting with her. Marga was sad that her parents were fighting again when her moving up ceremony was just around the corner, and Kulas assured her that he would have a talk with them and fix the situation.
Romina had a talk with Bernard in her house. She told him that she was close to getting justice for Robert’s dëäth. Bernard said that all she needed to find now was Daniela’s motive. Mina then showed him Daniela and Carlos’ bank statements and Bernard was surprised that they had been on the verge of bankruptcy when Daniela had still been spending so much money.
“I don’t understand,” Bernard said. “She took a trip while you were still in prison. Where did she get all that money?”
“The money from the inheritance,” Mina presumed.
“She only inherited properties and shares,” Bernard corrected. “She hasn’t had them liquidated yet.”
“Then where did Daniela get the money from?”
At the Maxwell moving up ceremony, Carlos gave his daughter a present and apologized for fighting with her mother. Marga bragged to her parents about how she would beat Cassie for the Maxwell Prime and be the top student in her batch. Esther arrived with Cassie and Neil.
Much to Cassie’s surprise, Daniela asked how Esther was and then told her that she could always come back to the mansion if they ever gave her a hard time. Esther said she wouldn’t be going back there soon and Daniela told her that she might change her mind once her daughter won the Maxwell Prime.
“So don’t get your hopes up, Cassie,” Marga gloated. “You might end up getting hurt.”
“It’s okay,” Cassie shot back. Grades don’t define a person, Marga. Most of the time, it’s attitude.”
“But sometimes, it’s their family background, especially if they’re related to mürdërers.”
“Then it’s a good thing we aren’t like that. See you at the podium later. May the best Mondragon win.”
Savannah sat in her car outside Alvin’s place. Over the phone, Daniela told her to wait for her since she might get caught if she didn’t follow her instructions. Daniela called the police and reported that there was a man smuggling illegal firearms. She then rattled off the supposed suspect’s address. “Alright,” said the officer. “Can I know who you are?”
“I’m just a concerned citizen.”
Cassie took a walk with her uncle, worried that her mother was still not replying to her messages. They ran into Daniela and she asked where Romina was. Neil gave Daniela a look. “Why? Do you miss her?”
Daniela addressed Cassie. “Maybe your mother decided not to come because she finally realized that her daughter cannot win against mine.”
“I will never embarrass my mother,” Cassie stated. “Because my studies are important to me. I’m a candidate for Maxwell Prime.”
“That’s how far you’ll go.”
“Uncle, where is namma?” Cassie asked as Daniela walked away.
“She and Bonita are on their way. Let’s just wait for them.”
Romina and Bonita were at the account office of Camila. Mina went through the financial statements files and took photos of the documents while Bonita stood guard at the door. Mrs. Galvez was walking with the secretary when she noticed Romina and Bonita coming out of the office. “What is she doing here on a Saturday?”
“I’m not sure,” the secretary said. “They spent all their time in the accounting office. They must have been looking for some files.”
“What?”
A goon ran into Hector’s gambling den and informed him that the cops were waiting for him outside. Hector instructed his men to hide everything and they went ahead and cleaned up. “Hide the güñs. Don’t leave any evidence.”
Alvin received a phone call from his brother. “I need your help,” Hector said. “Come here right now.”
“Be right there.”
Savannah came out of her car as she saw Alvin leaving. She broke into his place and began rummaging through his belongings. Savvi eventually found the cufflink in Alvin’s bag. Hector came down to meet the officers and they told him that they had received an anonymous call saying that he was storing illegal wëäpons in his house.
“I only live here with my daughter,” Hector said.
“Can we go inside?” an officer asked.
“Erm… I…”
Alvin arrived just then and Hector told him to go and check on Roxanne and tell her that some officers were coming in.
“My daughter has a heart condition,” Hector claimed. “I don’t want her getting worked up.”
“It’s fine,” said the officer.
“Let’s just wait a bit.”
Alvin came back a moment later and Hector gave the officers the go-ahead. The officers searched for a while but they couldn’t find anything. “What do you have there?” an officer asked, gesturing toward a room.
“That’s our storage room,” Hector said.
The officer went into the storage and glanced around. “We could also search the backyard,” Hector said nervously.
“We’re done here,” the officer declared, without even bothering to search the storage room. Romina arrived at the event and glared at Daniela and Carlos who sat some few seats away. She then joined Neil and the others. “Has Cassie been called yet?”
“No, you’re just right on time,” Neil replied.
Mrs. Galvez called Daniela and asked her to come over, saying that Romina had made her move and could be coming after them. A moment later at Camila, Mrs. Galvez told Daniela about how Romina and Bonita had searched the accounting office. “You know what that means,” Mrs. Galvez said. “They’re suspicious of us.”
“But you were at the BP of finance. Surely, you’ve covered up everything we did.”
“You can’t manipulate numbers, Daniela. If there are inconsistencies, it means there was a mistake. And we will be in trouble.”
“No, we won’t. We aren’t even sure they found anything.”
“Well, I hope so. Because you know Romina – she will not stop until she succeeds. If we don’t do something, she’s going to eat us alive. And I’m sorry, Daniela, but if they find something that will implicate me, I’ll pull you down with me. You better plan your next move against her.”
Back at the moving up ceremony, Marga mocked Nadya for coming in 5th place. “The second highest GPA,” the MC began on stage. “Belongs to…”
Marga was smiling smugly. She glanced behind and her dad smiled back at her. Marga noticed that her mother had gone missing.
“…Margaret Bartolome.”
Fatima congratulated Cassie as Marga looked on in disbelief. Carlos came over and congratulated her daughter. Marga was beside herself, making a scene as the MC invited her to come on stage. Carlos managed to drag Marga onto the stage as she kept crying and saying that she didn’t want to go. The principal put a medal around her neck and she hurried offstage and rejoined the Mean Squad as the audience clapped.
“And now, the Maxwell Prime 2019 with the highest point… is Miss Cassandra Andrada-Mondragon.”
Romina congratulated her daughter and took her to the stage for her award as Marga looked on like a dejected kangaroo. Cassie came down the podium with the Maxwell Prime trophy and Kristoff congratulated her. Cassie and Marga were locked in a staring contest. After the event, Esther congratulated Cassie. Cassie asked her mother why she was crying and Mina told her that they were tears of joy. “I’m just happy for you,” Mina said. “I also remembered your father. If he were alive today, he would be very proud of you, Cassie.”
“Mamma, please don’t cry,” Cassie said. “I’m sure daddy’s always watching over us. I bet he’s looking down on us now. That award I just won, I dedicate it to you and daddy.”
Mina hugged her daughter gladly. Cassie then went over to one of the selection committee members who told her that she would be leaving for London in a week’s time, and that her papers and finances had to be ready by then.
“Finances, sir?” Cassie asked, confused.
“Yes. The tuition is free. Your accommodation and your living allowance will all be on you.”
“I didn’t know that, sir. If all I’m getting is free tuition, will it be possible for me to just stay here? Can’t they get me a scholarship that will see me through college?”
“I’m not sure if that’s possible.”
“Please, sir. I’ll be studying here at Maxwell. You have nothing to lose.”
“Alright. I’ll talk to them about it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Marga came over after the judge left and started bïtçhiñg and accusing Cassie of cheating. “How could a prestigious award be won by the daughter of a räpïst and a mürdërer?”
Cassie gave Marga a look and släppëd her. “I worked hard for all of this. And I already warned you. I told you never to insult my mother. Is it really that hard for you to accept that I beat you?”
“You didn’t work hard for anything. You only got this because of my family. Because you became a Mondragon.”
“Will getting that trip to London make you shut your mouth? Then go ahead. Take it. It’s all yours. Marga, the only thing I want is to finish my studies. I want a scholarship, not a trip to London.”
“Are you not going to claim this award after you fought for it?”
“I’m only thinking of my family’s future which you and your mother deprived when you took everything from us.”
“You don’t deserve to win. You just made up a story so the judges would pity you.”
Kristoff came over. “No, Marga. I asked them to give Cassie a second chance after her interview. And the committee saw for themselves how Cassie deserved her award.”
Kristoff left with Cassie and Marga started crying. Carlos arrived home with her daughter and she complained about how her mother had been disappointing her lately during her school events. Carlos had a call from his boss and before leaving, he assured Marga that they were going to celebrate when they all got together. Marga cried. At Navotas, some neighbors organized a little feast to congratulate Cassie for winning Maxwell Prime. Mina thanked them for the gesture. Bernard and Kristoff came to join the celebration.
“Thank you, Tope,” Cassie said.
Kristoff looked confused. “For what?”
“You spoke to the judges, and that’s why I won.”
“No, Cassie. That’s all you. You worked really hard to reach the top.”
Cassie smiled, and they both stared at each for a while. Bonita came in with some documents and Mina excused herself and went to the balcony with her. Mina went through the files.
“I was right, Bonita. All the documents were approved by Mrs. Galvez. That’s why Daniela’s so smug – because she has a powerful ally.”
“What do you plan doing now, Romina?”
Daniela arrived home and Marga complained about how she had been neglecting her and spending most of her time in the company after her grandpa’s dëäth, adding that she had lost Maxwell Prime and Cassie was taking everything from her. “I’m so sorry,” Danny girl wailed. “I’ll stop Cassie. And I’ll make sure that she and her mother disappear from our lives. I’ll take back everything they took from us, and I’ll leave them with nothing.”
At the Andrada house, Romina showed Bernard the financial statements files. “All of Camila’s missing funds can be linked to Daniela.”
Bernard went through the files. “She’s been stealing from the company?”
“Yes.”
“The board needs to know about this.”
Mina then showed him the photo she had taken at Hector’s hideout. “I saw that in Hector’s house. That is the truck captured by the CCTV. They used that to deliver the tainted meat. It’s only Daniela who’s connected to Hector, and Robert discovered it before he died. I’ll use that as evidence she’s involved in Robert’s dëäth.”
The president of Primarosa praised Carlos for coming up with a solution for their situation. After he left, Carlos overhead some co-workers gossiping about him, saying that he only got promoted so quickly because of his wife, Daniela’s influence. “Maybe his wife bought a lot of shares,” a woman said. “That’s why he got promoted right away.”
“Their conversation went something like this,” said another guy. “Darling, what position do you want? I’ll buy it for you.”
Carlos came over. “You better watch what you say or you’ll get fired.”
Everyone fell silent. “Don’t be scared of him,” another guy said. “He’s all talk.”
“What did you say? I’m all talk, huh?” Carlos stormed over and punched him. “Is that enough? Go on. I dare you to say one word about me.”
Hector was upset that he couldn’t open his gambling den because someone had reported his house and the cops kept coming around. “I’ll find out who reported us and make them pay for this.”
“Who would want to report us?” Alvin asked.
“Who else? That blasted Romina. She’s the only one with a grudge against us.”
“I knew she wouldn’t let us off the hook.”
“Why? Are you scared? She’s just a woman.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Leave it to me. I’ll figure it out.”
Daniela went to Navotas and asked Esther to go home with her. Esther told her that she was the one who had fired her. “You’re my family,” Danny girl said. “Why are you leaving me behind?”
“Alright. I’ll talk to Romina.”
“I knew you’d make the right choice.”
Primarosa’s HR called Carlos in and scolded him for acting like a child. They then revealed to him that Mariano (the guy he had āssäulted) had already made up his mind to file a formal complaint against him. “We have a zero tolerance for violence. Your actions have consequences. I’m sorry, but we have to…”
“Are you sure about that?” Carlos cut in. “Maybe you’re forgetting who I am. You’re right – actions have consequences, so you better be ready. You think I like working here? I resign.”
Hector told his brother that he had sent Roxanna back to Zambales. Alvin went inside and noticed that his house had been raided. “What’s missing?” Hector asked.
“The evidence.”
“For crying out loud, Alvin.”
Alvin recalled the argument he had had with Daniela over the cufflink. “It’s Daniela.”
Esther decided to leave for the mansion with the intention of trying to guide and change Daniela. She said her goodbyes to Cassie and Romina. Daniela came to pick her up, giving Cassie and Mina a wicked, triumphant smile. At the mansion, Savannah gave Daniela the cufflink she had stolen from Alvin’s place. Daniela told her that she could now rest easy since Hector and Alvin didn’t have anything they could use against her anymore.
“They’ll pin the blame on you,” Savvi warned.
“If no one saw you, then we don’t have a problem. I can easily manipulate those two. They might be tough but they’ve got limited brain cells.”
“Why do you look worried? Shouldn’t we be celebrating?”
“Not yet. I still have a bigger problem to face.”
“The evil stepmother?”
“She already knows too much about me. I could be in trouble. I need to stop her right now. I need to get rid of them once and for all.”
Romina had a talk with the former Camila workers Daniela had paid off and asked them to stand with her against Daniela, saying that she had evidence against her. They however told her that they didn’t want to be involved in her feud with Daniela. Carlos went to his father’s place and told his family about his fight and resignation from Primarosa. Kulas scolded him and asked what he was going to do now. Carlos said he wanted to start a business where he was the boss.
“What kind of business?” Kulas asked.
“I’m still thinking about it,” Carlos replied.
“Then why don’t you invest in dad’s business?” Gino suggested. “I’m sure you’ll earn more once the shop is renovated.”
At the Andrada house, Romina stacked up all the evidence she had gathered against Daniela into an envelope and put it inside a cabinet. Meanwhile, Daniela arrived at Navotas with Savannah. “You know what to do,” Danny girl said to a goon.
“Yes, boss,” the guy said before walking away.
“Are you sure about this, Daniela?” Savvi asked.
“I’m just sending Romina a message – my final warning. If she and Cassie don’t leave us alone, I have something much worse in store for them. This is just a little taste of the hell I’ll put them through.”
Daniela and Savannah watched as some goons doused the Andrada house with kerosene. They then set the place on fire before running off. Daniela drove off as the house burned. Some neighbors began shouting a moment later:
“There’s a fire!”
“The house is burning!”
The shouts of the neighbors woke Neil up. Outside, Bonita and the neighbors tried to put out the fire with some buckets of water, all the while calling out Romina’s name.
“Cassie, wake up!” Neil yelled back inside. “The house is on fire.”
Cassie and Romina woke up and tried to find a way out. Mina asked Neil to leave with Cassie while she went back for the documents. Mina went to the bedroom and tried to put off the fire in the burning the cabinet. Meanwhile, Jepoy was making his way into the house when he got struck by a burning wood. Mina managed to open the cabinet’s door but it was too late. The fire had already caught the documents. Jepoy helped the Mondragons out of the house. Marga called Maureen and Nica and asked whether they wanted to go out and they both told her that they couldn’t because of their families. She then called Nadya and asked whether she wanted to hang out.
“Sorry, Marga,” Nadya said. “I’m with my other friends. You might feel out of place.” Nadya hanged up and Marga was on the brink of tears.
Back at Navotas, Romina, Cassie and Neil watched as the fire service salvaged what was left of the house while some paramedics attended to Jepoy. Mina was fretting over his daughter and she assured her that she was fine. “How are you feeling?” Cassie asked.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about,” Mina said. “I was just thinking of all the evidence I lost.”
“Mamma, what matters is we’re all safe now.”
“But there’s one more problem,” Neil cut in. “Where do we live now?”
Mina consoled Cassie and Neil.
An officer came over. “Are you Mrs. Mondragon.”
“Yes, I am,” Mina replied. “Can you tell me how the fire started?”
“Based on our investigation, your house was deliberately set on fire. Do you know anyone who could have done this?”
Romina didn’t seemed that surprised. “I do. It was Daniela Mondragon-Bartolome.” Mina looked on, her face filled with resolve and vengeance.
