.
What was even more worrying was that he didn't know what she wanted, or was trying to accomplish by agreeing to this relationship.Coming back to his thoughts, Josh looked towards Antonio, realizing that he was still deep in conversation with Rafael. โDid Giovanni see him?โ Rafael asked.โNo he didn't, luckily I was there, so I made sure they didn't see each other.โ Antonio replied, referring to a few days, when Vincenzo showed up at the event, despite knowing that Giovanni would be there.Rafael gritted his teeth, โThen what the hell was he doing there? Doesn't he know the risks.โAntonioโs expression darkened. โHe said he was there for business, but I think he was trying to send a message to Giovanni, that he won't be intimidated by him.โRafael scoffed. โIf Giovanni had seen him, things could have gotten very bad.โJosh couldn't help but listen closely as he heard Rafael and Antonioโs words. They were talking about Vincenzo as if he was some outsider, who was Giovanni's enemy. But
Josh didn't want to take Lilithโs story at face value. That could be a risky move, because she could be lying and twisting the truth to her advantage. He eyed her suspiciously as he asked, โHow do you know all this?โLilith explained. โItโs not a secret. Everyone in the underground world knows. โShe revealed, " Don't believe me? Ask anyone, even Sofia.โJosh tightened his grip on the armrest slightly, his eyes filled with irritation. Everyone knows about this? And he had never thought to ask Sofia or Antonio about it.He felt annoyance flare in his chest. It was understandable that he would be annoyed at himself now, because he had just made a deal with Lilith for information he could have gotten on his own.Lilith watched him closely. Although she didn't show it on her face, she was clearly enjoying the realization dawning on his face. She thought of how easy it was. She made an offer, and he agreed without hesitation.Whatever. She was just glad he did. Now, she didnโt have to wor
She did not expect him to ask her such a direct question. But she was ready to answer him. Lilith tilted her head to look at him with a playful look. โMaybe I changed my mind.โโWhy did you change your mind?โ Josh pressed on.Lilith rolled her eyes before she finally answered him. โMaybe I realized that fighting this marriage is pointless. Our families will make sure this happens no matter what. And honestly it's not the worst thing that could happen.โJosh studied her, his expression lacking any emotion, unreadable. Unlike her, there was no warmth in his gaze. โThatโs not a convincing answer, Lilith.โ His voice was dry, but firm. Then, with quiet certainty, he accused, โI know youโre up to something. What is it?โโHmmm?โ Lilith hadnโt expected that. She thought he was clueless, easy to manipulate. But, the fact that he already realized that she was up to something, proved to her, that he was smarter than she gave him credit for.Her smirk returned, lazy and amused. โYouโre not an ea
At a police station, inside the chief's office.Three people were in the office, the chief of police and two officers, engaged in discussion.The chief of police sat back in his chair, while Detective Reynolds and Martinez stood across from him.โThese are all the findings we have on Giovanni De La Cruz so far,โ Detective Reynolds said, sliding a thick file across the table to the chief. The contents on the file were evidence the two detectives had found on Giovanni. According to them, it was enough evidence to cause Giovanni problems.Martinez added. โSir, we think with this, we can at least get a search warrant against Giovanni.โThe chief of police reached for the file, pulling it toward him before flipping it open. His eyes scanned the documents, photos, and reports inside. He picked up one of the photos, a grainy image of Antonio De La Cruz carrying a briefcase while Mario and Josh followed behind him and entered a hotel. Even at a glance, it was clear they were involved in som
Mr Ramirez turned to Mr Delgado saying, โA word with you Mr Delgado?โ Mr Delgado gave a nod before walking away with Mr Ramirez, leaving Josh alone. Josh was too preoccupied with his thoughts to fully pay attention to them as they walked away.He moved towards the grand windows, gazing out at the estate. The villa was beautiful, but that wasnโt what occupied his mind. It was what this place meant to him: A piece of his past, one he could barely remember, but was now in his hands.His fingers lightly brushed the nearby table as he walked, trying to find some sort of connection to this place. He closed his eyes, trying to remember some memory that would surface. But there was nothing. Just emptiness.He was too young to remember ever living here, so he couldn't remember everything. But, how could he expect to recall a place he left when he was just a toddler?The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to see his grandfather walking back inside with Mr. Delgado.โAr
Josh pushed the thought aside. He wasnโt ready to deal with that yet. Besides, this was his grandfather he was talking about, so why would Giovanni discard him aside?Mr Ramirez studied him for a second. โI'm sorry for how everyone else treats you. I'm sure they'll come around eventually.โ He assured. Josh could only hope that will be the case soon. He let out a short laugh. โAre you sure about that? Catalina looks at me like I donโt belong. Marco and Isabella donโt even bother hiding it. Matteoโs the only one who treats me like an actual person.โ It was not his intention to let everything out, however the words slipped out before he could stop them.His grandfather was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, โCatalina loved your mother.โJoshโs expression shifted. Really? He didn't want to believe that. If Catalina and his mother were indeed close, she wouldn't look at her sisterโs son like he was the problem.Mr. Ramirez continued, โShe loved her deeply. Losing herโฆ broke something
โAnd when you find him? What happens then?โ He asked.Josh watched his grandfather closely, waiting for his answer. Whatever Mr. Ramirez chose to do with Reaper would say a lot about the kind of man he truly was.It was safe to say Josh didnโt know his grandfather that well. He had power, control, and influence, but what kind of person was he underneath it all?โHeโll face justice. What do you think?โ Mr Ramirez said. โWeโll hand him over to the authorities.โJosh hadnโt expected to hear that.If this had been Giovanni, Reaper wouldnโt have made it past sunrise. No trial. No mercy. Josh still remembered how effortlessly his other grandfather had executed those two men for betraying him, no hesitation in his actions.This was the difference between Mr. Ramirez and Giovanni. One believed in fairness, the other in ruthless control.Josh was happy to see that his grandfather from his mom's side was a different person from Giovanni.Just then, Catalina walked in, her sharp gaze immediately
Josh ignored Catalina. But he also didnโt bother trying to go with them to see Matteo. Mr. Ramirez shot Catalina a cold look in disapproval. โIf it werenโt for Josh, Matteo wouldnโt have made it here in time.โ He scolded.Catalina said nothing, but she had a slight look of realization across her face. No matter how she felt about Josh, it was thanks to him and the other two people that Matteo was here at the hospital in time.She, Dean, Marco, and Isabella went inside the ICU where Matteo was.Josh stayed back, leaning against the wall. He didnโt show it, but the rejection bothered him.When Marco and Isabella made it clear they didnโt accept him, it bothered him, but not that much. Catalina, thoughโฆ She was his deceased motherโs sister. He expected her to treat him with at least some kindness. Guess he was wrong for thinking that.Josh exhaled slowly, pushing the thought aside. He wasnโt about to beg for acceptance. If they didnโt want him around, fine.Without another word, he turn
Mr. Ramirezโs gaze remained cold as he looked at Dante. โWhere is thisโฆ Reaper?โ he asked Dante hesitated, shaking his head in denial. โIโฆ I donโt know, sir.โMr. Ramirez studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Before he could say anything else, the waiting room doors burst open.Mateoโs parents, Catalina and Dean, rushed inside, their faces filled with worry. Marco followed closely behind them, equally as worried.โDad, how is my son? Where is Mateo?โ Catalina asked, her voice shaking.Josh tensed as he watched them. It was the first time he had ever seen Mateoโs parents in person. Since Matteo was his cousin, then the woman must be his mom's sister, his aunt. Josh also noticed a resemblance between her and him, it was subtle but still noticeable. Mr. Ramirez turned to them. โI have spoken to the doctor. He is stableโฆ weโll be able to see him soon.โA shaky breath of relief escaped Dean's mouth. โThank God.โCatalina clutched her husbandโs arm, but the worry in