Chapter 4-Dangerous Proposition

Mabigat ang katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan habang binabagtas nila ang EDSA sa gitna ng ulan. Si Cassandra, nakasandal sa upuan, pero gising ang isip. Paulit-ulit niyang iniisip ang mga nangyari sa gala. Ang mga ngiti na puno ng panlilinlang. Ang mga binitiwang salita na may doble ang ibig sabihin.

Katabi niya si Damien, tahimik din, pero kitang-kita sa mukha ang malalim na pag-iisip. Sa wakas, siya ang unang nagsalita.

“Wesson’s people were there tonight. That wasn’t just a social event. It was reconnaissance. They’re gauging you.”

“Alam ko,” sagot ni Cassandra, diretsong nakatingin sa labas ng bintana. “They want me to make a mistake. Para may dahilan silang durugin ang Vale.”

Tumango si Damien. “Exactly. And if we keep playing their game, on their terms, it’s only a matter of time.”

Lumapit siya ng kaunti, leaning forward, his voice low. “We need to stop reacting. We need to strike first.”

Napalingon si Cassandra, curious at cautious. “And how exactly do you propose we do that?”

Damien smirked, pero seryoso ang mga mata. “A dangerous move. But the only one that makes sense right now. We go after their Achilles’ heel — expose the shady deals behind their latest expansion. I know where to dig. But I’ll need your full trust. No second guessing, no pulling back.”

Saglit na katahimikan. Ramdam ni Cassandra ang bigat ng proposition. Hindi ito simpleng PR battle. Kapag nagkamali sila, pwedeng tuluyang bumagsak ang Vale. Pero kapag tama ang tira — sila ang mananalo.

“Why are you really helping me?” mahina niyang tanong, halatang may halong duda at pagod. “You could have walked away after the gala. Pwede mo nang hayaan na lumubog ang kumpanya ko.”

Damien held her gaze, serious na ang tono. “Because I don’t like bullies. And because I see something in you, Cassandra. Something they’re too blind to see.”

Tahimik siya. Tapos dahan-dahan siyang tumango. “Okay. Tell me the plan.”

---

📌 Later, in Damien’s private office...

Nasa harap ng malaking monitor si Damien, ipinapakita ang web of shell companies, dummy permits, at suspicious bank transfers na konektado sa Wesson Group.

“This is their weak spot,” paliwanag ni Damien. “They’ve been bribing officials to fast-track permits for their newest tech park. It’s all buried under layers of paperwork, but I can follow the trail.”

Lumapit si Cassandra, tinitigan ang screen. “If we expose this—”

“They lose credibility. Investors will panic. Regulators will have to act. And most importantly, the media will eat it up. But like I said—dangerous. If we fail, they’ll come at us harder. No mercy.”

Huminga ng malalim si Cassandra. “What do you need from me?”

“Your word,” sagot ni Damien. “No hesitation. If we do this, we go all in.”

Nagkatitigan sila, parang binabasa ang isa’t isa kung hanggang saan ang kaya.

“You have it,” sagot ni Cassandra. “We hit them. Hard.”

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📌 Midnight...

Pagkatapos ng mahabang planning session, nanatili sila sa office ni Damien. Ang city lights ng Makati kumikislap sa likod ng salamin, ang ulan unti-unti nang humihina.

“Do you ever sleep?” tanong ni Cassandra, napangiti sa wakas.

Damien chuckled softly. “Not when I’m this close to checkmate.”

Umupo si Cassandra sa edge ng table, tinitingnan ang files na nakakalat sa paligid. “You know, I never thought I’d be planning corporate warfare at this hour, in this way.”

Damien approached, leaning against the desk beside her. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

Tahimik ulit. Isang uri ng katahimikan na hindi awkward, kundi puno ng unspoken thoughts. Sa loob ng ilang sandali, wala ang bigat ng kumpanya, ng board, ng Wesson. Ang natira lang, silang dalawa.

“Cassandra...” bulong ni Damien, parang may gustong sabihin pero pinipigilan.

Nagkatitigan sila. Malapit. Napakalapit. Pero sa huli, si Cassandra ang tumayo, pilit ibinalik ang focus.

“We have a war to win, Mr. Kade. Let’s get to work.”

Ngumiti si Damien, pero halatang may bahid ng admiration. “As you wish, Ms. Vale.”