CHAPTER V

The Billionaire's Hidden Granddaughter

Episode 5 – The Anonymous Threat

Nomie barely slept that night.

The photograph lay on her desk beside the mysterious note.

"I know who you are."

She picked it up once more, studying every detail. It was an old family picture that had never been released to the public. Only members of the Dawson family and a few trusted employees had ever seen it.

A chill ran down her spine.

"Someone has been watching me... for a long time."

The next morning, Nomie decided not to tell anyone about the note—not even Cedrick. She didn't want to involve innocent people in a problem that belonged to her family.

As she entered the campus, she forced herself to smile.

"Good morning, Nomie!" one of her classmates greeted.

"Good morning," she replied warmly, hiding the fear in her eyes.

Meanwhile, inside the student lounge...

Fatima's friends were gathered around a table.

"I have an idea," one of them whispered.

They exchanged mischievous smiles.

Fatima hesitated.

"I don't know if this is right."

"It's only a harmless prank," another friend insisted. "She'll be embarrassed for a day, then everyone will forget."

Fatima remained silent.

She didn't agree.

But she didn't stop them either.

That afternoon, Professor Reyes announced a surprise consultation for all project groups.

One by one, the groups presented their progress.

When it was Cedrick, Fatima, and Nomie's turn, the professor carefully reviewed their proposal.

After a few minutes, he looked up and smiled.

"This is the most organized business proposal I've seen so far."

The classroom applauded.

Cedrick looked at Nomie.

"You deserve most of the credit."

Nomie shook her head.

"We all worked together."

Professor Reyes nodded approvingly.

"Excellent teamwork."

Fatima lowered her head.

Instead of feeling proud, she felt invisible.

As the class ended, students rushed into the hallway.

Suddenly...

A loud voice echoed from behind.

"Look at the bulletin board!"

Everyone turned.

Large printed photos of Nomie had been taped across the board.

Some were taken while she was studying.

Others while she was eating alone.

Across every photo was a cruel caption.

"Attention Seeker."

"Boyfriend Snatcher."

"Campus Pretender."

Gasps filled the hallway.

Students quickly pulled out their phones.

Nomie froze.

Her face turned pale.

Cedrick immediately tore the papers from the wall.

"Who did this?" he shouted.

No one answered.

The crowd remained silent.

Fatima stared at the photos in shock.

"I... I didn't do this."

Her friends looked at each other nervously.

"This wasn't our plan..."

Nomie quietly walked toward the bulletin board and removed the remaining papers herself.

Tears threatened to fall, but she refused to cry.

Instead, she simply whispered,

"Whoever did this..."

"I forgive you."

Everyone fell silent.

No one expected those words.

That evening...

Inside the Dawson Estate...

Don Emilio slammed his hand on the table after receiving another report.

"They humiliated my granddaughter in public?"

"Yes, Sir."

His security chief handed him several printed photographs from the campus.

"Our agents believe someone is escalating the attacks."

"Do we know who?"

"Not yet."

"But we're getting closer."

Don Emilio took a deep breath.

"No."

"We don't wait anymore."

"I want additional security near the university."

"Quietly."

"No one must know they're working for me."

"Especially Nomiie."

Later that night...

Cedrick couldn't stop thinking about what happened.

He stood outside Nomie's apartment building holding a small paper bag.

When Nomie opened the door, she looked surprised.

"Cedrick?"

"I wasn't sure if you'd eaten dinner."

He awkwardly handed her the bag.

"I brought arroz caldo from the café near the campus."

Nomie smiled for the first time that day.

"You didn't have to."

"I know."

Cedrick scratched the back of his head.

"But I wanted to."

For a moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Finally, Cedrick said,

"Nomie..."

"You don't deserve what's happening to you."

She looked down.

"My grandfather always taught me that people who hurt others are usually carrying pain themselves."

"So... instead of hating them..."

"I choose to pray for them."

Cedrick admired her even more.

"You really are different."

Just then...

A black motorcycle slowly stopped across the street.

The rider, wearing a dark helmet, watched the apartment building for several seconds before driving away.

Neither Cedrick nor Nomie noticed.

But hidden on the rooftop of the building opposite them...

One of Don Emilio's security agents quietly spoke into his earpiece.

"The target has been spotted again."

"He's getting closer to Miss Dawson."

Elsewhere...

Inside an expensive office overlooking Manila...

A mysterious man sat in the shadows.

His face remained hidden.

A bodyguard entered the room.

"Sir."

"The girl still doesn't know."

The man slowly smiled.

"Good."

"Let her enjoy her ordinary life..."

"Because very soon..."

"She'll learn why the Dawson family has so many enemies."

He picked up an old photograph of the Dawson family.

With one finger...

He slowly covered young Nomiie's face.

"The countdown begins."

End of Episode 5

Cliffhanger: Who is the mysterious man targeting the Dawson family, and what dark secret from the past connects him to Nomie's hidden identity?