Santos

"Cheers to Alison?" Maria replied bitterly."My husband and your father are very good partners. And we're not even on the list? You --you..."

"Stop shouting!" Maggie yelled out."Or I throw you out."

Richard hadn't even understood why the Cambridge were at his party. Sure, his father was always a business man and made friends with just about everyone, as long as they were rich and powerful. But the Cambridge? He had done his research and found out how dirty the family was!

And as for him getting married to Ella? His father preached that to him almost every morning but he pretended to be deaf to that matter.

"Hey..it's okay, Maggie." Alison sounded sympathetic and soft. "We're okay. We're just talking."

Maggie shook her head."I don't understand adult. This is not talking, it's fighting!"

"It's not, my sweet Kari. In fact, if you find it not to your taste, we can leave here after this first meal. I'm sure our lovely guests can understand why." Richard said.

No. He doubted any of the guests would understand. He didn't even want any of these power hungry folks to be at his party!

Maggie nodded after a while. "Can we bring Alison too?"

Alison smiled, pretty and so serene. Was that a yes? Damn, Richard wanted it to be a yes so bad! "That's only if--"

"--aww Maggie, I'd love to join!" She replied.

"That's great." Richard's mind was calm now. "Now, we just need to enjoy our meal in peace."

Everyone did calm down and just went straight to their meal. A short while later, Richard got up and excused himself, calling the party a night. Alison got up as well as Mira to join Richard and Maggie.

She nodded to Mira and decided to go by herself without any escorts. Mira protested but finally agreed. They went outside with the crowd only staring from behind.

Finally. Maria could scoff and growl in disgust. "The nerve of that bastard! How dare he!"

"This is all your fault!" Ella scowled."You brought me to this party to embarrass me? You should have--"

"-you think your father and I haven't done our parts? We had spoken to that son of a bitch and his father already! Where was his father at the party? No where to be fucking found! He didn't even respect us so why would his son do?" Maria spat out bitterly.

Brad and Lily? They were nowhere to be found now.

"Behave yourself, Ella. We will deal with this. Your father and I, don't worry. You will marry that boy no matter what. And we will be rich." Maria said proudly.

Meanwhile, someone was listening to them just around the corner. A tall middle aged man. Santos Grayson. Finally, he made himself appear to their midst.

"Hello," he was handsome as handsome could begin with. Fair skin, big nose and a fine charisma. Maria studied him and weighed just how rich he could be.

He was not someone likely to be famous, but his attire spoke of wealth. Simple and designer like.

"Who are you?" She said, not directly meaning to be rude.

"My name is Santos Grayson. Call me a relative to the famous Dave Harrison. His son is a brat. A pain in the ass if you might."

Ella frowned, rolling her eyes. "Whatever..mom, I'm leave okay?"

"Slow down honey. This man, Richard Harrison. I can help you, he'll instantly propose marriage ideas to you in no time. Believe me when I say this."

Ella scoffed."Who told you I need your help getting me a man?"

"You and Richard attended college together..sure he was your senior. But if he recognized you and treated you as even a lady at all, he wouldn't have embarrassed you the way he did just now."

Ella straightened, and Maria's ears propped open.

"How did you know--"

Santos cut Ella off. "I have my ways. I can help you both. I know how ungrateful both father and son of Harrison empire can be. And I mean to bring them down. I know their weak spots. I can tame them, own their wealth. And put you on the seat of important people in the Harrison empire."

"You don't look like you've had any success in the past years. Why should we even listen to this trash you're spitting out now?" Maria frowned, watching him more closely now like he was a snake and could attack any moment soon.

Finally, in a more relaxed tone, Santos replied. "Half the people in the room are my people. Not under Dave or Harrison anymore. You want proof?" He whistled and two hefty men came forward. "Trash that spy listening on our conversation right now. Take everything that belongs to her. Do it secretly."

Mira froze on spot. They'd seen her. She recognized them to be those two giant men who wanted to deal with she and Alison earlier as they'd arrived at the party.

She rushed down, heading out but they had cornered her. Two figures taller and bigger than her lifted her up and threw her into a van, placing a bag over her head.