PROLOGUE

Third POV

Early 2021

"Sakaling may mangyari sa akin ay ikaw na ang bahala magbigay nito sa totoong tagapagmana ng pamilyang Frouch." Iniabot ni Roberto ang isang maliit na kahon sa anak.

Tinitigan mabuti ni Hestia ang maliit na kulay itim na kahon at nagtataka kung ano nga ba ang laman nito? Ibinaling ang kaniyang tingin sa amang patuloy na nagsasalita ngunit wala na siyang marinig pa. Hanggang sa unti-unti naglalaho sa kaniyang harapan ang pinakamamahal na ama.

"Papa!" umiiyak na tawag ni Hestia.

Panaginip...

Minabuti bumangon ni Hestia mula sa higaan kahit alas kuwatro pa lamang ng madaling-araw. Sariwa pa rin sa kaniyang isipan ang panaginip kaya binuksan ang kabinet na nasa paanan ng kama at kinuha niya ang maliit na kahong tinutukoy ng ama sa panaginip. Binuksan ang kahon at binasa muli ang sulat ng huling habilin ng kanyang ama.

"Paano ko ba mahahanap ang sinasabi ni papa na tunay na tagapagmana ng mga Frouch kung sila mismo ay hindi matagpuan ito?" tanong ni Hestia sa sarili at sinabayan ng isang malalim na buntonghininga.

Ilang taon na rin ang nakakalipas nang ihabilin ang kahon sa kaniya at siya ring huling alaala niya sa ama. Nangako si Hestia na tutuparin ang huling habilin ng ama.

October 2021

"F'uck! I'm lost," Theo murmured. He had just arrived in the Philippines and immediately headed to the island of Agrianthropos to search for any Foedus founders since he was unable to get in touch with them. Naguguluhan na siya sa pasikot-sikot na pasilidad dahil sa laki na rin ng pinagbago ng isla sa loob lamang ng maikling panahon nawala siya.

"Oh, damn it!" Again. Talking to himself. He returned to the port, where Felix awaited him. He remembered that Paige's birthday was today, and he anticipated the founders to attend the party.

"Have you spoken with them?" Felix asked.

"No, they aren't here. Let's go to the party." Theo hopped to the yacht and told Felix where to go. Though Felix a bit confused which party they going.

Theo and Felix gatecrashed the party because they weren't invited, looking for any founder who would discuss about his issues. But Isauis found them and took them to a vacant table nearby. While speaking, Isauis handed Theo a stiff drink.

"You've been gone for a year or two, and I didn't expect to see you at Paige's party," Isauis said with gladness to see Theo. "What brought you here? You wouldn't mind gatecrash a party if it's not important."

"My grandpa died," Theo answered. Isauis was taken aback, while Felix simply listened. "I'm looking for assistance in tracking the murderer. But first, I must establish myself as my grandfather's legitimate heir."

"You can count on me as long as the price is right." Isauis said smiling. "Simply wait till the party is over so they can competently discuss." Isauis tapped Theo on the shoulder and returned to the crowd.

Theo felt dizzy after drinking a bottle of whisky. His grandfather's death compelled him to return to the Philippines. He desires to find the killer first, but the mines must be prioritized because they are so valuable to his grandfather. Some members of the Frouch family are greedy and want to control the African mining industry. They used Dimitri's death to persuade others to join them in running the mines.

He must act quick o mawawala lahat ng pinaghirapan ng kaniyang lolo. Felix simply observed Theo's actions until Theo abruptly took the riffle to his waist. Felix snatched the rifle from Theo's grip. Theo was drunk when he observed the founders and other members interacting in the crowd with firearms pointing at each other.

"You're out of your mind; you need to rest," Felix stated as he drove Theo home.

A day later, Theo analyzed the situation in Africa with Foedus. They took off immediately after weeks of planning to confront members of the Frouch family who are involved in the mining industry.

They arrived exactly at Dimitri's island area near Nigeria, where all the gemstones and gold from the numerous African mines were collected. The group of Isauis left to take their place in the intended set-up in case something went wrong.

Theo finally reveals his identity, but as expected, they question his credibility. Atty. Elliot Hart presented all legal paperwork and a DNA test as proof of Theo's assertion.

Theo's claim to be Dimitri's first grandchild and the true heir of the Frouch family is being resisted by family members. Theo overhears Benedict Frouch speaking in an unknown dialect, the man controls the mines in Sudan.

Felix whispered something into Theo's ear. Without saying anything, Theo pulled out his rifle and shot Benedict in the brow. As the Frouch family members panicked, Atty. Hart smirked, satisfied with Theo's action.

"Ich bin Timotheo Batobalani Frouch, Dimitri’s erster Enkel. Ich bin hier, um meine Rechte als Erbe zu beanspruchen. Jeder, der mich nicht respektiert, wird sterben." Theo warned them about his real nature, whoever disobeyed him could end up dead.

"Niemand außer mir kann das Bergbaugeschäft dieser Familie kontrollieren, solange ich lebe. Sie alle stehen unter meiner Führung, da ich der erste Enkel der ersten Frouch-Familie bin," He is aware that he is the only one qualified to manage the family businesses, as Theo stated. They were to be under his control for as long as he lived.

"Und niemand kann die Erinnerungen meines Großvaters zerstören, sonst kommt ihr alle zur Hölle." Once again, he gave a warning that no one would disrespect his grandfather's name, or their own life would be the price.

A week after they addressed the matter in Africa, Theo is now trying to chill in an exclusive bar to forget his ex-girlfriend Czarina. He also needs to think of a suitable plan to catch Dimitri's killer. He suddenly felt perplexed after five bottles of brandy, and he was astonished by a woman's stare.

"Damn! Who is this angelic face lady?" he whispered. Felix was silent on the edge of the couch. Theo begun to stare at the young lady with innocent beauty as they exchanged glances.

"Hestia!"

A man from behind Theo shouted the name of the goddess and the man walked closer to the young lady. As Theo's eyes focused on the ensuing events.

"Hestia..."