All Chapters of Bound by Honor (Montenegro Series 1): Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

PROLOGUETruth is loudest when spoken in silence—at the exact moment everyone else chooses to stay quiet.That thought echoed in my head the moment I stepped into the hall. Isa ako sa mga unang dumating.As expected, the Montenegro Group of Companies never did anything halfway. Lahat ng nasa paligid ay sinadyang magpabilib. From the towering chandeliers dripping with light to the gilded hotel walls na tila kumukutitap sa bawat flash ng camera, every corner of the five-star venue in Makati screamed one thing—power. Even the music, a refined classical piece playing softly in the background, felt orchestrated not for ambience but for control.This wasn't just a press conference. This was theater. This was performance. And this—was my moment.I adjusted the press badge hanging heavily around my neck, the weight of it reminding me of my purpose. Sa kamay ko, mahigpit kong hinawakan ang recorder—my weapon. My pulse beat faster, not from intimidation, but because of one singular reason I cam

CHAPTER 2 Calculated FireContent Warning / Author's NoteThis chapter contains themes of political corruption, threats, and mature situations that may not be suitable for younger readers. Some scenes also depict fear, intimidation, and subtle R18 tension. Please read at your own discretion. "Andra's POV" Pag-uwi ko mula sa diner, halos madaling-araw na. Tahimik ang kalsada, pero hindi ang utak ko. Parang replay button na sira—paulit-ulit na bumabalik ang mga sinabi ni Zayne Montenegro. "Some truths don't set you free—they bury you." Nag-shiver ako kahit hindi malamig ang hangin. Hindi ko alam kung banta ba iyon o babala. Pero isang bagay ang malinaw, hindi siya sanay na may humaharap sa kanya nang gano'n. At hindi rin ako sanay na may isang tao na kayang kalmahin ako sa simpleng titig lang. Pagdating sa apartment, binuksan ko agad ang laptop. Hindi ako pwedeng magpahinga. Hindi ako pwedeng matakot. Kung titigil ako ngayon, parang pinatunayan ko lang na tama siya. Kinabukasan,

Chapter 4 – Shadow LinesContent WarningThis chapter contains themes of stalking, intimidation, emotional vulnerability, and subtle R18 undertones. Some parts may be triggering for sensitive readers. Please proceed with caution.Andra’s POVThe message from last night haunted me like a whisper that refused to leave my ears."You’re in too deep. Meet me tomorrow night if you want the whole truth. Don’t tell anyone. Come alone."Alone.Exactly how they wanted me—isolated, vulnerable.But if there’s one thing journalism has taught me, it’s this: the truth doesn’t wait for the perfect conditions. You take it where you can find it, even if it means walking into the dark with nothing but your instincts.Kinabukasan, I barely spoke in the newsroom. Celeste was in a constant tug-of-war with “higher-ups,” as she called them, and I could feel the pressure hanging over her shoulders. She didn’t ask about my lead; maybe she knew I wouldn’t tell her. Maybe she just wanted plausible deniability.S