Chapter 14 : Found dead

Inside Mr Diego Mondragon’s mansion

They sat quietly at the table as they had their breakfast. Not a single word was spoken.

Mr. Mondragon looked serious as he ate. The quiet clinking of silverware was the only sound you would hear. Several maids stood around the dining table, still as statues, while two guards remained posted by the entrance.

Suddenly, another guard rushed forward. He bowed slightly and said, “Good morning, Mr. Mondragon. You have a visitor.”

Mr. Mondragon didn’t even look up. “Who dares to visit me at this hour of my peaceful moment?” 

Before the guard could answer, the sound of polished shoes echoed across the marble floor.

A tall, sharply dressed man entered the room. His charcoal suit was tailored to perfection, and a faint scent of expensive cologne trailed behind him.

“Now, now, Diego… is that any way to greet an old friend?” the man said, flashing a charming smile.

Mr. Mondragon looked up immediately, his eyes widening with pleasant surprise. “Alonso Rivera,” he said, rising from his seat with a grin. “You sly fox. What wind blew you to my home this early?”

Alonso chuckled as he approached, extending a hand. “The wind of success, my friend. I had to come to see the man behind last night’s spectacle.”

They shook hands firmly, and Diego’s face softened...a rare sight.

“I should’ve known it was you the moment the maids started fussing like hens,” Mr. Mondragon said with a smirk.

Alonso’s eyes flicked briefly to Thersa, who sat silently with her head slightly bowed, her fork idle. He gave her a small, polite nod before turning back to Diego.

“I came to congratulate you in person,” Alonso said smoothly. “That event last night? Impressive. You made the right move with that contract. People are talking.”

Diego gestured for him to sit. “Then stay for coffee. We have a lot to catch up on.”

Alonso glanced around the table and smiled. “Only if I’m not interrupting your... quiet little family breakfast.”

Diego gave a short laugh, motioning to a maid. “Bring him the best roast we have.”

….…

After their feast

After the maid poured the coffee and stepped away, Diego stood.

“Walk with me,” he said to Alonso. “Let’s leave the breakfast table behind.”

They moved into Diego’s private study which was lined with books and filled with the scent of aged wood and cigar smoke.

Once the door closed, Diego’s smile faded.

“So... tell me what you really came for,” he said as he leaned back in his chair.

Alonso crossed his legs and sipped his coffee.

“I hear Ethan Willian Wood III's son is back in town.”

He paused, watching Diego’s reaction.

Diego’s jaw tightened.

“He didn’t just return. He bought into the company.”

Alonso raised a brow. “Bold. And dangerous.”

“He wants something,” Diego said darkly. “He can't make moves unless there’s a reason.”

Alonso smirked. “You still think he’s playing by the old rules? Maybe he came back to finish what his father started.”

There was a silence that hung between them.

Diego’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.

“I’m watching him. Every step. But if he’s come to make a mess”

He stopped and stood slowly “....then I’ll be the one to clean it up.”

….…………..

Thersa stood by the window, staring out in silence.

She stepped onto the balcony as she let the cool breeze brush her face.

At the far end of the field, a few workers were tending to the land.

Her eyes scanned lazily until one of them waved.

She squinted. The man tilted his cap back slightly.

Her heart fluttered.

It was Rafael.

 With her hands gripping the railing, she leaned forward trying to be sure.

Yes… it was him.

She gasped. “What is he doing here?” then spun around and rushed inside. Her heart pounded as she reached for the door.

She stepped out, paused, and peeked over the stair railing checking if her husband or mother-in-law was downstairs.

The coast was clear.

Quietly, she made her way down, trying not to make a sound.

She made her way across the back of the house toward the field. Her eyes scanned the workers until they landed on him.

He was holding a rake, leaning casually against the glass frame of the greenhouse, blending in with the rest of the crew.

She approached her heart still racing.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, startled.

Rafael looked up slowly, a small smile played on his lips. He removed his cap.

“I came to make sure you got home safely... after last night,” he said calmly.

She stared at him for a moment, unsure whether to be angry or touched.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered.

“And yet... here I am,” he replied, stepping a little closer. “Just making sure you're okay.”

Their eyes locked for a bit too long.

“I need to go before someone else sees us,” Theresa muttered as she took a step back.

But before she could turn, a voice rang out behind her.

“Well, well... are you now finally realizing your place?”

Theresa froze. Her heart dropped.

It was Camilla.

Rafael subtly slipped his cap back on and bent over, continuing to rake as if nothing had happened.

Camilla walked closer, her smile smug. “Good to see you coming to your senses,” she said, her eyes sweeping the field. “This is exactly where you belong, Theresa. Among the workers… in the dirt.”

Theresa swallowed hard, forcing herself to face her. “ Mom....“

“No need to explain,” Camilla cut in sweetly. “I always knew you’d find your way back to the ground where you started.”

She turned to glance at Rafael but didn’t linger....just another laborer in her eyes.

Theresa kept her expression blank but her fists tightened by her side.

Rafael didn’t say a word. But as Camilla turned away, his eyes flicked up to Theresa....just for a moment.

Rafael, still bent over and pretending to work, muttered quietly, “Is she always like that?”

Theresa didn’t even turn to look at him but nodded her head slightly.

“I see,” he said. After a brief pause, he added, “Maybe she needs a bit of humbling.”

Theresa’s brow furrowed as his words sank in. She wanted to respond, to say something, but by the time she turned to speak, he was already gone….

….……………..

“Where have you been, Rafael?” Uncle Robert asked as he met him halfway on the way to the office.

“I had to take care of something,” Rafael replied, not pausing in his stride. He moved toward a scanning machine, nonchalantly tapping it as he went by.

Uncle Robert followed closely his voice tinged with frustration. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait?”

Rafael didn’t answer right away. He walked to his office, entered, and took a seat at his desk. With a quick motion, he began flipping through some files, ignoring his uncle completely.

Uncle Robert stood at the doorway, watching him for a moment before stepping inside. “When will you learn, Rafael?” he said. But Rafael didn’t even glance up, too absorbed in his work.

“Why did you go ahead to buy a share in his company, Rafael...without telling me? And not just any share… the biggest one!” Uncle Robert barked as he burst into Rafael’s office.

“Good morning to you too, Uncle,” Rafael said calmly, not even lifting his eyes from the paper in his hand.

“I’m not here for greetings!” Robert snapped, slamming the door shut. “Are you trying to get me killed? Or join your father in the ground?!”

Rafael raised his head, relaxed as ever. “I took the opportunity when I saw it.”

Robert looked stunned. “Do you even hear yourself? Even your father never dared to cross the Mondragons when he was alive. And you? You want to dine with them?!”

Rafael stood and walked over, fixing Robert’s collar with a light touch. “Tell me, Uncle… when you want to take down a giant, do you stand outside and throw rocks?”

Robert pulled away. “You’ve lost it, Rafael. Do you know how dangerous they are?”

“Well,” Rafael said, turning to pick up his phone, “can you have my flight ready in the next two hours?”

Robert blinked. “What now?”

“I want you to oversee the shares personally while I’m gone,” Rafael added simply, not looking up from his phone. “I know you're good at it.”

Uncle Robert’s frustration was evident, but before he could respond, his phone rang. 

“What?!” Robert’s voice was sharp. His eyes widened, his hand gripping the phone tightly. “He’s been… what? Killed?” he muttered in disbelief.

Rafael’s head snapped up, the words catch his attention. He turned sharply to face Robert.

Robert’s knuckles whitened around the phone. “Mr. Saito. He’s been found dead in his house… this morning.”