“Welcome to my house, my stepdaughter. Remember. My house, my rules. So you better think twice before doing anything, or you might regret it. Sweetheart. This house is legally mine. Everything here is mine. Including the ground you’re standing on. Don’t forget I can have you dragged out of my house anytime I want.”
Cassie told her mother that she was worried about Marga and Romina assured her that she wouldn’t drag her into her fight with Daniela because she had nothing to do with her mother’s actions. The Tejadas arrived and came over to the dining table, with Kristoff having Cassie’s favorite cake. “Cass, are you okay?” Kristoff asked. “You don’t seem happy at all.”
“I’m just worried about Marga, Tope,” Cassie replied. “Last time this happened, she almost fell off a building.” Cassie then excused herself to go and call Marga’s friends in hopes of finding where she was.
“After all the things Marga did to her, she still hasn’t changed,” Bernard commented. “She still worries about her. If Robert were alive, he’d be happy to know how kind Cassie still is.”
Alvin met up with his brother and told him that there was nothing they could do because the court had already favored Romina. Hector got upset. “We won’t get anything from Daniela now.”
“What do we do now?” Alvin asked.
“For once, prove yourself useful and make use of your brain.” Hector had a phone call just then. “Daniela?”
“Hector, I need your help. Marga’s missing. Please help me find my daughter.”
“Where are you? I’ll come to see you.”
At the Cartolome autoshop, the Bartolomes were fretting over the sudden disappearance of Marga when Mikoy came in with her. They started bombarding her with questions and Kulas actually tried strangling Mikoy.
“Grandpa, stop,” Marga said. “He actually helped me.”
“Tell us what happened,” Myrna requested. “Where have you two been?”
“I was supposed to come here,” Marga explained. “But I got robbed by some street kids who took my money and my phone.”
The misëräble one-eyed-old man started pointing an accusing finger at Mikoy. “I’m sure this idïøt’s in cahoots with them.”
“Stop it, dad,” Jude admonished. “Please excuse him, Mikoy.”
“It’s fine sir,” Mikoy said good naturedly. “Don’t worry. I’m used to it.” Mikoy turned to Marga. “So you’re okay now? You should have told me you were headed here. I could have brought you sooner.”
“Thanks again…” Marga said, struggling to remember his name.
“Mikoy. My name is Mikoy.”
“Thank you, Mikoy,” Marga said with a smile. Mikoy’s stomach rumbled from hunger as he started leaving and he turned and smiled at the Bartolomes. A moment later after Myrna had treated Mikoy to some food, she asked him where he would be sleeping tonight and he told her that he was not sure yet.
“I guess wherever I feel like sleeping,” Mikoy added.
Kulas came over. “Er…why don’t you sleep here? Think of it as my way of thanking you for helping my granddaughter. It’s perfect. Now someone will watch this car shop at night.”
Mikoy seemed excited. “Really sir?”
“Well, you saved my grandkid.”
“Now stay right there,” Mryna said to Mikoy. “I’ll just go talk to Gino so he’ll lend you some of his clothes. I’ll be right back.”
Mikoy stared at Marga as she was engaged in a conversation with Jude some distance away. Daniela met up with Hector. “I need to find my daughter,” she sobbed. “Romina might be tørtüriñg her the same way she tørtüred Alvin. Keep a close eye on her, Hector.”
“Daniela…”
“Hector, she told me herself. She said she would make me pay for everything I did. Help me get my daughter back. I can’t lose her. I’ll die if Romina takes my daughter from me too.”
Hector consoled Danny girl with a hug. “Don’t worry, Daniela. I won’t let Romina do anything to your daughter.”
Alvin watched secretly. “I’ll do everything to get Marga back. I’m always on your side,” Hector added, caressing Danny girl’s back. “I won’t turn my back on you. Like what your husband is doing now.”
Daniela then had a phone call from Jude, telling her that they had found Marga. In the study room at the mansion, Bernard gave Romina some documents and told her that he had already unfrozen her assets, adding that Daniela wouldn’t have any grounds anymore to contest Robert’s last will since the case had been closed.
“Is this really happening?” Romina asked in disbelief.
“Your nightmare is over, Romina. You now have full control over everything Robert left you. Including this mansion. You can kick Daniela out of the house now. She can no longer question your decisions. Finally, you and Cassie can live in peace.”
Romina stared at Robert’s portrait and smiled through tears of joy and relief. Daniela and Carlos arrived at the Bartolome house and reunited with their daughter. Danny girl was overly emotional and Carlos asked why she had left without telling them. Marga told them that she wanted to find out the truth about her aunt Romina’s accusations.
“Did mommy really have her räpëd?” Marga asked her father.
“It’s not true,” Daniela stated.
“Then why do they keep insisting that you did?”
Daniela turned to her husband. “Carlos, tell her. Tell her that Romina is lying.”
“Marga…” Carlos began. “The accusations aren’t true. Your mother would never do that.”
Kristoff and Cassie were having a video call. Kristoff teased Cassie for worrying so much about Marga, saying that she was like an angel and she might start growing wings soon. Cassie told him that it was about being a decent human being and she was also doing that since it was what her dad would have wanted.
“You really miss him.”
Cassie smiled. “I do. Every second of the day. That’s why I’m trying my best to make his wish come true – to see his family made whole.”
The Bartolomes arrived at the mansion and found their things outside. They asked the guard what was going on and he told them that he was just following Romina’s orders. Daniela called Romina on phone. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Didn’t I mention it?” Mina teased. “I’ve already packed your bags,” she added before hanging up.
In the living room, Neil came down the stairs, worried about Daniela as she kept throwing a fit outside. “Romina…”
“Just ignore them,” Mina said as Esther and Cassie came over.
Hector was back home, recalling his moments with Daniela. Alvin came over and asked whether he had talked to Daniela about the situation they were in, and Hector told him that he hadn’t been able to because Daniela had been crying.
“So what if she was crying?” Alvin asked. “Our problem is bigger than hers. What we’re doing is getting us nowhere.”
“Don’t worry,” Hector said grudgingly. “I’ll ask her about it when I see her again.”
“Don’t bother. We won’t get anything from this anymore. Let’s just leave Daniela alone.”
“As long as we know about her secret, she will give us money.”
“Is that your only reason? Or are you after something else?”
Hector gave his brother a look. “What do you mean?”
“I followed you earlier,” Alvin replied. “I saw what you did. If I had to guess, I’d say you’re going soft.”
“Whatever it is I feel for Daniela has nothing to do with what we’re doing.”
“I’m just concerned. Don’t get your hopes up. She’ll never løvë you. She løvês Carlos.”
Hector got upset. “The only thing you should care about is the cash we’ll get from Daniela, so stay out of my business.”
Back outside the mansion, Daniela was still throwing a fit and saying that the mansion was still hers and Romina couldn’t take it away from her. “Guard, open the gate.”
“I’m sorry ma’am,” the guard said. “I really can’t.”
“What? You’re taking orders from that criminal? Let me remind you – I hired you. So do as I say and open the gate.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. If I do that, they’ll fire me too.”
“Romina! Romina!!”
“Mommy please stop,” Marga interrupted. “We’re disturbing the neighbors. Someone might take a video of us. My followers might see it.”
“Let’s just go back to the townhouse,” Carlos suggested.
“No.” Daniela dragged Carlos to the wall and asked Marga to go back to the car. “Climb over the fence.”
“Are you insane?”
“Carlos, Romina has done that before. Let’s give her a taste of her own medicine.”
“No way. I’m a civilized person. I won’t do that.”
“We’re at war here and we need to fight for our rights.”
“What war are you talking about? Let’s just leave. I won’t do what you want.”
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Danny girl hissed. She went over to the fence and tried to climb it. But her second best friend came charging and barking. Yep. It was the dog. The same watchdog she had used to keep Romina out barked and growled at her from inside the mansion. “No! Romina, open the gate!”
Back in the living room, Neil told his sister that it looked like Daniela was about to breath fire. Mina said she couldn’t scare her with her loud mouth. Nanny Esther asked her to reconsider her decision since it was late but Mina told her that they had money and they wouldn’t sleep on the streets just because she had kicked them out.
“I feel sorry for Marga,” Cassie said.
“Why are you feeling sorry?” Neil asked. “She did the same thing to us – she took our home from us and burned it down.”
“But mamma, daddy wouldn’t have wanted this to happen,” Cassie pointed out.
“Romina!” Daniela yelled back outside “Romina, open the gate!”
“Enough, Daniela,” Carlos admonished. “You’re just making a scene.”
“Romina, open this gate right now!”
Romina sauntered over and stared through the gate. “Oh, hello Daniela. Let me remind you in case you’ve forgotten – the court has given me back my rights to everything Robert left me. That includes this house.”
“And I don’t agree with that.”
“You can’t do anything about it because the court favored me.”
“This is my house. You have no right to kick us out. Let us in!”
Romina smiled in amusement as Daniela pounded on the gate. “Guard. Open the gate. Alright. Come on in. I will allow you to stay in my mansion. Welcome to my house, my stepdaughter.”
“How dare you?” Daniela lunged forward but Carlos held her back.
“Try it,” Romina taunted. “Remember. My house, my rules. So you better think twice before doing anything, or you might regret it. Sweetheart. Guard, please help my dear daughter back in.”
Daniela looked on angrily as Romina left. Myrna and Gino brought Mikoy some food and essentials at the autoshop. Gino asked whether he was fine sleeping there. “Maybe I should talk to dad again.”
“No, it’s okay,” Mikoy said. “I’m fine here. At least it’s better than sleeping on the streets. No one else has helped me out like this. I didn’t think nice people like you still existed to help a guy like me out.”
At the mansion, Marga approached Cassie and started bïtçhiñg about how they were still there. “I would never forget this night and how you made me doubt my mom. That was just a distraction for you to take our house.”
“Haven’t you realized yet that I’m not trying to compete with you?” Cassie tried to reason. “And I’m not playing games either. The fact that you could still return to this house only means I don’t intend to fight with you.”
“Our war isn’t just about this house – it’s about the respect, the opportunities, and the life you stole from me as a Mondragon. So get ready. This will last a lifetime.”
The next morning, Daniela met up with Savannah and ranted on about how Romina had been acquitted after k!lling her father. She then vowed to make sure that Mina didn’t keep the properties for long. “You better think fast,” Savvy said. “Because if your appeal against Romina fails, you will have nothing left.”
Neil asked his sister why she had let Daniela back in after kicking her out. Romina told him that her mission wasn’t done yet because she still needed Daniela close so she could see her every move and have her confess to her crimes. Neil then reminded her to be careful since Daniela would probably do everything to get back at her. Carlos hurried out as Romina was heading to her car for work. “Romina. Can I talk to you?”
In her office at Camila, Daniela was pondering over the reason why Romina had let them back into the house. “Isn’t that what you wanted?” Savannah asked.
“Savvy, we’re talking about Romina here. She’s a cunning woman. Everything she does has purpose. And I want to find out what that is.”
Back at the mansion, Carlos told Romina that her feud with Daniela was affecting Marga. Romina however told him that it was his wife’s crimes that were coming back to haunt her. “You’ve heard of karma, right?” Mina asked.
“I just want all of this to end.”
“Then why did your family insist on living here? I already threw you out last night so we’ll all have some peace and quiet. But what did your wife do? She threw a fit and insisted on living here.”
“But you allowed us to come back, right?”
“Because I knew Daniela would never quit, and I felt sorry for Marga. I know your family’s going through a lot because of Marga, and I don’t want to add to that. So if you want this to end, then talk to your wife.”
Daniela was having trouble reaching Carlos on phone so she decided to go and see him. Savannah reminded her that she still had urgent business meetings to attend. “We’re just taking a coffee break, remember?”
“Then tell them there’s a more urgent matter I have to take care of,” Danny girl said. “I trust you. I have to smooth things over with Carlos.”
“And how can that happen when he already knows that you had his ex räpëd?”
“She’s an ex, right? That means it’s over.”
“Well, it doesn’t change the fact that you did something really really bad to Romina. What if she wants Carlos as payment for what you did?”
“You think I’ll let that happen? I did all I could to build this family. They’re all I have, and I’m not giving up without a fight.”
Alvin caught his brother staring at a photo of Daniela on his phone. “Does it really have to be Daniela? There’s tons of other women out there.”
“Daniela is unlike any other woman,” Hector said. “She’ll do anything for her family.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. Do you think she’s gonna leave her husband?”
“It’s easier to steal a chick in a bad relationship.”
“But Daniela løvës Carlos.”
“Alvin, no pair of løvërs last forever. Just look at her husband – he practically despises her right now. I’ll never find anyone else like Daniela. She’s a firecracker. And I like playing with fire.”
At the CrAvenue Diner, Marga apologized to the talent scouts for not being available for the photoshoot, adding that she was ready to do it at the moment. The scouts told her that they would get back to her after contacting the photographer. Cassie was cleaning nearby, staring and smiling at Marga the whole time.
“What are you looking at?” Marga asked after the scouts had left.
“I’m glad they agreed to your terms,” Cassie said.
“You know why? Because they can see how eager and determined I am. Even though your mom got acquitted and has our mansion, you’re still a loser in my eyes.”
Daniela arrived at the mansion and asked about Romina and Carlos told her that she had already left. “Why are you looking for her?” Carlos asked.
“Because I know she’s planning to talk to you. Am right, aren’t I?”
“You’re mistaken, Daniela. I’m the one who approached her.”
“What? Why? Carlos, is this about what happened before?”
“We just tried to settle our issues so we can stop hurting the kids.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“If living here will only worsen your paranoia, then let’s just leave. I don’t want trouble.”
“No, Carlos. I’m not leaving and I will not allow Romina to steal you from me. Just stay away from Romina for our own peace of mind.”
“You don’t have the right to order me around. In case you forgot, you’re the one who committed a crime here.”
Daniela had a call from Savannah as Carlos stormed off. “Savvy.”
“Come here right away. There’s an emergency in the office.”
Romina stalked into Daniela’s office and began checking the place out as Neil and Bonita discussed her restored position as Vice President for Operations. Bonita worried that Daniela wouldn’t back down and Mina told her that it was the board that had made that decision and she couldn’t get rid of her even if she was CEO.
“Let’s stop saying that woman’s name,” Neil said. “She’s a jinx. She’s like a ghost in a haunted house. Call her name three times, and she’ll suddenly appear.”
Lo and behold, Daniela walked into her office just then and asked Romina what she was doing there. Mina told her that it was the board who had decided. She gave Daniela a document and Danny girl tore it up after a brief glance. “I am the CEO of this company,” Danny girl stated. “And I can overturn their decision.”
“Don’t overestimate your power as CEO, Daniela. Because you might end up losing your position.”
“They can’t do that, Romina. Unless they have a reason to.”
“Is that a dare, Daniela? You might end up regretting it. Now that I’m back, your days as CEO is numbered.”
Marga’s photoshoot had began at the diner. Kristoff approached Cassie and told her that she shouldn’t have convinced her mother to take them back since it had been her chance to finally get away from Marga. Cassie said it was her dad’s house and he would have been upset had they left them out on the streets.
“No matter what I do, Marga and I will still see each other at school,” Cassie mentioned.
“But you won Maxwell Prime, right? And you have the money now. Aren’t you going to study in London?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Of course not. I don’t wanna be away from you. But I want what’s best for you, Cassie. That’s a real big opportunity for you.”
Cassie thought for a moment. “I don’t think I’ll go, Tope. I’ve already decided that I’ll not leave mamma, until her feud with Daniela ends.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want. Cassie, I want you to remember that I’m always here for you. No matter what you decide, I will support you.”
Marga came over and spouted her usual nøñsënse. At Camila, some employees threw Romina a small party to celebrate her freedom. Mina thanked them and they told her that it was nothing compared to all she had done for them. Daniela barged in as they all started feasting. “Go back to your workstations if you don’t wanna get fired.”
“Don’t leave,” Mina said to the workers before facing Daniela. “Employees are entitled to have breaks, Daniela. As long as I know, their break isn’t over. Are you going to take that away from them too?”
“I’m still the CEO of this company, Romina. My company, my rules.”
“Well, you don’t own this company, Daniela. I won’t let you trample on the rights of our employees.”
“You’re making a big mistake. I’m still the daughter of the company’s owner.”
“Have you forgotten that I still own the majority shares in this company? So if there’s a Mondragon you need to fear, it’s me.”
“You don’t scare me, Romina.”
“No need to rush, Daniela. We’ll get to that point soon.”
At the autoshop, the Bartolomes discussed about Romina’s freedom. Carlos was worried that Mina could press charges against Daniela for defamation of character. Gino mentioned that Mina was a nice person to have allowed them to stay at the mansion after everything Daniela had done to her.
“Son have you asked for her forgiveness yet?” Myrna asked.
“What?” Kulas said in disbelief.
“Kulas, you’ve lied to her so many times to cover up for Daniela. You’re lucky she hasn’t pressed charges against you.”
The misëräble one-eyed-old man got more upset and Carlos told him that his mother was right. Kulas counselled him not to destroy his family in seeking Romina’s forgiveness. Nadya was reminding Marga of all the things she hadn’t been able to keep and Marga asked whether she had come to insult her. Maureen mentioned that they had seen her suitor with another girl. Nadya and Nica mocked her, saying that even her new suitor had replaced her. Marga claimed that she had told him to stop bothering her since there was someone else she liked.
“We all know that,” Nica taunted. “But Cassie’s the one Kristoff likes.”
“Who told you I was referring to Kristoff? For your information, I have a new suitor and unlike the other, I actually like him. I might just introduce him to you when you’re done badmouthing me.” Mini-Daniela went over to the counter and started crying.
In Romina’s office at Camila, Bernard asked her whether she wasn’t happy after getting back everything Robert had left her with. Mina told him that she would never be happy until the person who had him k!lled was caught. Bernard mentioned that she could have both her case and Robert’s investigated.
“Do you really not remember anything from that night?” Bernard asked.
“I wish I did,” Romina replied. “I may not be able to use the money Robert left me with to buy justice, but I’m sure I can use it to open doors they’ve been trying so hard to close.”
“Which one do you want to focus on first?”
“I don’t have to choose, Bernard. I have a strong feeling that Robert’s dëäth and me getting räpëd is connected. It’s my turn to seek revenge, and if I have to go after every person who had something to do with what happened to me and Robert, I’ll do it.”
Hector was all dressed up at home. He asked his daughter whether what he was wearing was okay and Roxy asked him where he was going. “I’m just going out for a bit,” Hector said, spraying perfume all over himself.
Roxy was amused. “Pa, that’s perfume. Not mosquito repellent.”
“Did I put on too much?” Hector began sniffing himself.
“Are you dating someone?” Roxy asked as Alvin joined them in the room. “Spill it.”
“Why, is that a bad thing?”
“I just wanna know who the lucky girl is. Is she beautiful? Is she nice?”
“Stop asking so many questions.”
Alvin found the situation humorous. “Why don’t you just tell her already,” he said with a smile.
“Don’t be mean, uncle Alvin,” Roxy admonished. “At least I can have a mom now. I feel like I’m turning into a guy because I’m always with you.”
Alvin stared at his brother. “If Hector continues to fall for Daniela,” he thought to himself. “I’ll be out of a cash cow. I’m sure he won’t take money from her anymore. But if he thinks I’ll walk away empty-handed, he’s making a big mistake.”
Romina arrived home to find that nanny Esther had prepared something to celebrate her acquittal. Daniela came over to the dining table and ordered some servants to take away what Esther had prepared for Romina’s celebration. Romina also ordered them to put back the food.
“Don’t you dare,” Daniela said to the servants. “Follow my orders.”
“Don’t forget that the mansion belongs to me,” Romina stated. “So put those back.”
“How dare you say you own this house? This is my house.”
“You’re unbelievable, Daniela. This house is legally mine. Everything here is mine. Including the ground you’re standing on.”
“You have no right to claim this house.”
“Tell that to the court. Oh, but you already tried and the court still favored me. Don’t forget I can have you dragged out of my house anytime I want.”
Mini-Daniela managed to convince her mother to let the matter go so she didn’t have another fight with her father. Before storming off, Daniela promised to make Mina’s happiness shortlived. Her bratty daughter spouted some crap and followed. Romina then had a phone call. “Hello, Alvin. What do you want?”
“You’re the one who needs something from me, Romina. You wanna know who räpëd you, right?”
