𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 95 : 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐥.

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

Sophia opens the door to Breanna—in a well-tailored uniform, eyes bloodshot from stress and sleeplessness, clutching Junior's hand tightly.

Before she could open her mouth or say a thing, Breanna slammed her. “What kept you so long?” Her dominance cracked. “Suspension has made you lazy.”

Sophia hesitated but shook her head. “I was cleaning, that's why. Good morning, ma'am.” She crouched a little and caressed the little boy's face. “Morning, Junior.”

“Morning, Aunt Sophia,” Junior tendered, looking disheveled, eyes red from crying.

“The panel is happening today,” Breanna said as she strode into the apartment gracefully and took a seat. Sophia shut the door and followed.

“Yes, ma'am.” Sophia licked her dry lips. “I heard about your suspension. Sorry for that.”

Breanna turned her gaze to Sophia. “I know deep down you prayed for it. Your karma is definitely magnetic.”

Sophia felt her blood sugar spike instantly—how could Breanna mirror her thoughts so accurately? “It's nothing of the sort, ma'am.”

Breanna held the gaze for ten more seconds, then stood and walked up to her. “I know what I did to you. I know you hate me right now. But you're still the only person I trust with him.”

She took a deep breath, then continued, “They're starting the panel at 9. It could drag on... or worse. These things get dirty, Soph. Especially now that Antonio's involved. If something happens to me today…”

Sophia countered her perception, seeing the vulnerability in her eyes. “Should I talk to Grinch? They're not as bad as you think.”

“I don't need their bloody help.” Breanna's heart swelled with resentment. “He's why I'm in this mess… let him drag me to his satisfaction.”

“As you wish.”

“I can't take Junior there.” Breanna handed over a backpack (clothes, toys, and junk).

Sophia cast her eyes at the boy, who looked quiet and traumatized, and took the bag. “He looks all messed up.”

“End-of-semester exams,” Breanna attributed her son's quietness to exams. “If I don't come back today... tell him Mommy loved him.”

“Yes.”

Breanna glanced at the clock, walked back to Junior, and embraced him. “Mommy's off now. Be a good boy for Aunt Sophia.”

Junior nodded, tears already dripping. As Breanna detangled to leave, he grasped her hand. “You're coming back, right?”

“Yes.” Breanna ran a hand through his hair, then rushed off because of time.

Junior got off his seat, took three further steps toward the exit, and clung to Sophia's leg, scared. “Aunty!”

Sophia looked down at him with a tender expression. “Yes, baby.”

“Facing the panel means she's in big trouble, right?”

Sophia was forced into awkwardness, discussing such a cold topic with a kid. “Nothing to worry about. We detectives face panels at some point. My screening is pending too.”

Junior gave an impertinent nod and walked back to his seat while Sophia went to make breakfast.

However, Junior's moody countenance didn't settle for long because the guestroom door creaked open.

“Sophia! Please, where do I hang my clothes?” Nevena's voice floated in with footsteps.

“Leave 'em in the bucket—I’ll hang them out.” Sophia's voice rang from the kitchen.

“Bestie?” Junior's heart thumped hard, but he was still unsure.

He turned toward the direction of the voice, but the door clicked shut with a tiny acknowledgment.

The little boy sprang to his feet and clattered toward the room. Without knocking, he shoved it open.

“Bestie!”

Nevena startled, turning from drying her hair with a towel—her face lit up in genuine surprise and a mix of joy. “Junior? Oh my goodness, how did you…?” She dropped to her knees, uninjured arm open.

Junior launched into a fierce hug, burying his face in her shoulder. “Bestie! You live here now? With Aunt Sophia?”

Sophia rushed in (hearing the commotion), spoon in hand, but her expression softened at the sight of the hug.

“Yes, my boy.” Nevena pulled him out and showered him with kisses. “How about you?”

“Mommy's at the scary meeting. But she's coming back?” Junior explained briefly. “Let me get my bag.”

He almost collided with Sophia, who was watching from the doorway, as he rushed out to gather his stuff. “Get a hold of it, boy… You're going to fall.”

She turned to Nevena, pointing her spoon at the now-empty space where Junior had been. “You sure are a magician. Despite being his favorite aunt, he didn't even warm his gloomy countenance for me.”

Nevena pulled a childlike giggle at the comment. She had babysat Junior through his wrecking phase, and now her patience had made them inseparable.

“Bestie! I got 70% in my science midterm!” Junior's voice flowed through as he made it back to the room. “I topped the whole class. See!”

Sophia crouched to take a look too. Seeing the little soul happy cracked her up in an unimaginable way. At the smell of burning from the kitchen, she rushed off.

☆☆𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥☆☆

Meanwhile, across town at Celestial Heights Hotel, Antonio emerged from the bathroom, lower half wrapped in an ash-gray towel.

He walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and carried it to the floor-to-ceiling mirrored window.

As he gazed over his empire, he couldn't help but sigh deeply. Despite owning so much, he still felt powerless.

One thing kept him caged: his parents' murder. Despite his unwavering devotion, Lucas still refused to release the last names of those who bagged the hit.

His immense power and network couldn't even buy him the truth. Clinging to loyalty wasn't helping anymore. With each passing day in luxury, he died a little inside. He couldn't even exact proper revenge on the people who had shattered him.

“Palooka!” Grinch called, his soles clinking chillingly on the glass tiles. “Breanna's interrogation is today. How do you want it to end?”

Antonio turned slightly, his side profile radiating darkness. “I'm not great with second chances. Right?”

“I can't vouch for that. You've changed a lot.” Grinch settled into an armchair. “You've gotten soft over time.”

Antonio exhaled sharply, a lopsided, predatory grin curling his lips. “End her career. Dig up every old secret, twist every loose thread. Make sure she walks out empty-handed… and broken. Losing that badge will render her useless—to everyone.”

Grinch tilted his head. “You want her ruined…?”

Antonio took a slow sip of whiskey, eyes cold as steel. “Ruined first. Then, if she’s smart, she’ll come begging. And if she pushes back…” He met Grinch’s eyes. “Send her to jail”

Grinch nodded once, a flicker of approval in his eyes. “Consider it done.”