Kabanata 04

"Alam mo, yung lolo mo at lolo ko, matagal na silang magkakilala. Nang nagka-krisis yung Santos Corporation, kinontak ako ng family ko, tapos sinabi ko sa kanila na tulungan kita hangga't kaya nila to create a good relationship."

"Anna, grabe... Matagal na tayong magkakilala, pero ngayon ko lang nalaman 'to?"

Anton looked at Anna, expression niya na may halong guilt. "You helped my family during the Santos Corp crisis and didn't even tell me?"

Anna just shrugged. "Di ko trip ang nagyayabang. Kung 'di lang din umepal si Isabel, 'di ko sasabihin ever."

Anton squeezed her hand. Eyes full of something between admiration and regret. "You're amazing. Si Grandpa naloko lang talaga ni Isabel... Pero pag tayo na, I'm sure he'll like you."

Anna raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Obvious ba."

Anton had been watching the company from abroad. Alam niya may tinutulungan si Isabel, pero lately, narealize niyang the real MVP was Anna and her family.

Ang dami palang projects na nakuha ng Santos Corp dahil sa Reyes family. Pero si Isabel yung pinapirma para kunwari siya 'yung asset ng company.

Classic setup.

Right then, nag-vibrate phone ni Anton. Message from the butler.

He read it—and smiled big.

"Anna! Si Grandpa... pumayag sa annulment. We can finally be together."

Isabel tilted her head, cool as ever. "Figured he would."

"Pero medyo messy pa. Grandpa offered her 700 million. Ayaw. Gusto niya... 15 billion USD."

"WHAT?!" at dito tuluyang nabulunan si Anna sa sariling laway.

"Grabe. Gutom sa pera si ate. Pero don't worry, kung lawsuit gusto niya, ibibigay natin. That money? I'm sure illegal yun."

"Let's get Benjamin," Anton said. "Yung 'legal robot' daw. Fair, emotionless, walang kinikilingan. Best in the courtroom."

Anna nodded. "Met him once. Galing nga. If we get him, panalo 'to."

Anton pulled her into a hug. "Thank God I have you."

---

Meanwhile, sa bahay ni Isabel...

She'd barely stepped inside when her phone rang.

"Ranran! Busy ka ba lately? Drop by ka naman minsan," Mr. Juancho said, cheery as always.

She opened her laptop while on the call, typing 'top corporate annulment lawyers PH' like a madwoman.

"Medyo hectic lang po ngayon..."

"I heard about Anton. I know a lawyer—friend ko. He can help with the annulment."

That made her pause. Mr. Juancho's friend? Must be good.

"Thank you po. Sobrang laking tulong. I'll visit when things settle."

"Sige, I'll send you their email address. Add mo siya."

As promised, the business card popped up. She added him.

Isabel: Hi, Lawyer Miguel. I'd like to consult you about something.

---

At ZH Legal Firm...

Benjamin had just finished reading Mr. Juancho's message. Help a friend daw with an annulment.

Then may nagpop-up na friend request.

Benjamin: Attorney Miguel? Wait, ako ba dapat to?

Pero okay, same business card. Confirmed.

Benjamin: Miss Fernandez?
Isabel: Yes po. Hello, Attorney Miguel.
Benjamin: Miss Fernandez, formal mo naman masyado haha.

Nag-isip si Isabel.
Hmm. Lawyer... friend ni Mr. Juancho... probably older?

She replied:
Isabel: Hi po, Uncle Miguel.

Benjamin blinked. UNCLE??

Napailing na lang siya. First time na ngang may nagpa-cute sa 'kin, ginawa pa akong Tito.

Nag-chat sila ng 10 minuto para maintindihan ang buong storya.

Na-crisis ang kumpanya ni Anton pagkatapos ng kasal, nag-invest siya ng malaking pera na lumago ng twenty times.

Ngayon niloko siya ng asawa, gusto nang i-annul ang kasal.

Dahil may prenup, sinasabi ng in-laws na di niya pwedeng kunin ang shares, gusto lang kunin yung initial investment.

Benjamin: Magkano total value ng shares mo?
Isabel: 1.5 billion USD.

Benjamin: ...okay. You need to come in for a full consult.

---

The next day.

Isabel walked into ZH Legal Firm with full main character energy.

Guess who she ran into at the entrance?

Yup. Anna and Anton.

Anna scanned her, eyes sharp. "Miss Fernandez, andito ka rin? Sayang. I doubt this firm helps thieves."

"Is that so?" Isabel raised an eyebrow. Walang emosyon ang mukha ni Isabel. "Miss Anna, sigurado ka ba na tutulungan kayo ng ZH Legal Firm? Isang mistress tulad mo?"

Then she walked off like nothing—clean, classy, zero chill.

Anna lunged to grab her, pero Isabel sidestepped effortlessly and held her wrist—tight.

"Control your pet, Anton. Next time she touches me, I'll break her arm."

Boom. Silence. Na para bang tumahimik ang buong paligid.

Pinrotektahan ni Anton si Anna, sabay tingin nang galit kay Isabel. "Isabel, sobra ka na. Si Anna, gusto lang yung ikabubuti mo pero ayaw mong makinig."

"If you weren't a woman, I'd—"

Tumayo si Anton para ipagtanggol si Anna, pero nanahimik si Anna.

"You'd what?" Isabel scoffed, flipping her hair. She walked to the receptionist, ignoring them.

"Hi, I have an appointment with Lawyer Miguel."

Receptionist blinked, then pointed. "He's over there, ma'am."

She walked confidently toward an older man in a suit. Held out her hand. "Attorney Miguel, I'm Isabel. Mr. Juancho referred me."

Benjamin blinked from a distance.

Wait, what??

Nag-pause si Miguel bago ini-shake ang kamay niya. "Hello, ano ang maitutulong ko?"

Ngumiti si Isabel, "Si Mr. Juancho po ang nag-recommend sa'yo. Sabi niya expert ka at gusto ko po sanang ikaw ang humawak ng case ko."

Nagningning ang mata ni Miguel, nagulat.

Kilala ni Mr. Juancho si Attorney Miguel? At nirekomenda niya?

Dating senior lawyer si Miguel sa ZH legal firm, pero naging chief lawyer agad si Benjamin.

Hindi lang figurehead si Benjamin—talaga namang magaling siya kaya wala nang laban si Miguel.

"Ah, Miss Isabel," ngiti ni Miguel, tapos nagturo kay Benjamin.

Habang lalong lumalala ang eksena, hinimas ni Benjamin ang noo, halatang naiinis. "Isabel—"

He stepped forward to explain—only for a loud voice to interrupt:

"BROTHER BENJ!"

Benjamin closed his eyes. Here we go.