June, Lucy, Carson and Joel were seated in the office as they discussed their next step of action.
“I don’t think it is enough. We need to close in on her, and put her behind bars! She should pay for her crimes.” Lucy lamented.
Carson supported the notion, “I think we should press for charges. It cannot be a mere coincidence that the hospital footage of your father’s death was altered. We would never have made the connections if we had not involved the private investigator who dug out the real videos.”
“Can’t we put that sister of yours behind bars with the evidence we have?” Joel Patel inquired. “Everything is aligned. The threats made, the sudden death on the day the threats were given. The gloating at the burial ceremony. Surely this should end that woman.”
June remained silent as she thought on the topic. Last night, she had received a shocking revelation from the private investigator that she’d employed with Carson to look into her murder attempt.
After meeting constant roadblocks in his effort to find evidence that proved April’s attempt to murder her sister, he decided to look into other cases around June.
When he caught wind of Lucy’s case, he decided to hop on the trails, and thankfully, whoever they employed to alter the footage did pretty sloppy work. After getting the real footage of the untimely death of Mr Garfield, he was able to recognise the nurse in question from the video of June’s last day at the hospital.
When she had caught news of the developments, she decided to put up this stunt at the last minute after getting permission from Lucy. It was the first step to getting revenge on her sister for the evils she had done.
Lucy’s father’s death would not be left to go without punishment.
“I think you are right.” June finally spoke, turning to Carson. “Do you think we can file a petition against her?”
A nod. “With the public in tune with this case and the evidence presented, we can at least order an arrest and probe on the case.”
Lucy looked like she had run a thousand miles in one second. “I have to file the case, don’t I?”
June nodded, “Do you think you can handle it?”
The last thing she wanted was to put pressure on a barely healed wound. The emotional welfare of her friend was more important than any revenge scheme.
“I can. I want to do it.” Her tone was clear. “She needs to pay, and if suing her is going to kickstart the case, I will do that first thing tomorrow morning.”
June nodded in support. “You need to know that this can go awry pretty quickly. This is not going to be easy. You need to understand that pursuing this case might drag and take a lot. I need to know that you are in for the long haul.”
Lucy took a breather. “I am. I am ready.”
When June was certain she was sure, they spoke more about how they would handle things at the break of dawn and they dispersed.
June returned home and Luis waited for her in the sitting room. He rushed to her with a hug as soon as he saw her. “Welcome home, mom!”
June couldn’t get used to hearing him address her in that manner. Once again, she stiffened but managed it well. “How are you doing, baby?”
“He was up all day, following that launch of yours.” Mrs Beatrice entered the sitting room. “I feel bad. You didn’t invite me to the opening of your company.”
“I’m so sorry…” June said, feeling bad.
“I know, I know, I am not that important.”
“No, mother. I just, It’s a small event and I didn’t think you’d like to be there.” She said in a small voice, her head bowed, thoroughly ashamed of herself.
“Don’t feel so bad. Raise your chin.” Beatrice chuckled, “I was only having fun with you. I barely go anywhere these days as I feel old. I am not growing any younger, you see,”
June could tell she was trying to get her to feel better, making her feel even worse. “I promise to bring you along anytime I have something going on.”
“Alright. You should have dinner. The little one wanted to eat with you.” Beatrice turned around. “I’ll be in my room if you need me. Congratulations, love.”
“Thank you, Mother,” June said and her mother-in-law left with a smile.
She resisted asking after Rafael and headed to the dining table with Luis by her side. Soon enough, they had dinner and retired to their rooms.
This time around, June was alone in her room. She twisted and turned until the early hours of the day when she gave up waiting for Rafael. She beat herself up for even nursing the thought of hosting him and fell asleep.
The next morning, April and Ethan arrived at the Lontoc Family home. Ethan wore a sombre look as he tried to reason with his wife.
“Please, don’t do this. Please, I will do anything. Just let them be, don’t do this.” His cries fell on deaf ears.
April strutted into the house with a document in hand.
“Olivia!” She disrespectfully called her mother-in-law. “Come out, come out wherever you are!”
Olivia Lontoc was in her bedroom, tending to her husband when she heard the voice of April. Her mood soured immediately.
“I think that witch is here. I’ll go see what is up with her and return shortly.” She said to her husband who was paralysed.
The Lontoc couple were forced to put aside their differences with the recent developments. They had no choice. Olivia made her way out of the room, pushing her husband into a wheelchair.
“Olivia!”
“How dare you address me in such a manner? Have you no respect?” Olivia said as soon as she stepped into the room.
April huffed, “For someone living in my house, you sure have a sharp tongue.”
A scoff, “Your house? Did the shock from the wedding make you lose your wedding?” A small smirk graced Olivia’s face. “I suppose being accused of murder is no small thing. Why do they delay to put you in prison?”
“Mother!” Ethan said with a panicked look, “How can you say that? Apologise to her!”
“Oh shut up, Ethan!” Olivia fumed. “I didn’t raise you to be a chicken. Be a man for once!”
April flung the documents towards her mother-in-law. “I have been hosting my enemies in my house.” She corked her head, “It’s time to go.”
Olivia wore a confused look as Ethan fell to his knees. “Please! There is nowhere to go! Please, don’t do this to me.”
“What is going on? Why are you begging her?!”
“Take a look at the papers.” April sat on a sofa. “You are looking at the CEO of Lontoc Constructions and Rivera Stores.”
Olivia fought the urge to laugh. “I knew you were a witch, But are you also delusional? You might have the highest shares but that does not make you the CEO!”
April didn’t bother to argue. “The papers are in your hands. Take a look.”
Olivia picked up the paper on the floor with jittery hands and read through it. As the seconds passed, her eyes widened and her heartbeat accelerated.
“A m-merger? H-how? This is not possible!” She looked up at April and Ethan, refusing to believe what she had just read.
“Not when the CEO signed over his position to me.” April shrugged, sighting Ethan’s father who wheeled himself into the sitting room. “Especially seeing his last act as the CEO was signing the merger of the two companies.”
Olivia turned to her son, “What have you done?”
Ethan couldn’t speak, he couldn’t defend himself. At that moment, he felt like the biggest fool in the universe.
“How could you do this to us son?” Olivia blinked back tears as her heart broke into pieces.
She couldn’t understand what she had done so wrong for her son to dish out such cruelty to them.
“Why… why have you done this, Ethan? Why?!”
April enjoyed the melo drama happening before her eyes but she didn’t have time to waste. She needed to catch up on her first meeting as CEO. They were on their way to the company when she decided to drop in and inform them of their seventy-two hours’ quit notice.
However, seeing her mother-in-law was yet to learn her place, she decided otherwise. “With my position as the CEO and the highest shareholder, everything belongs to me now. Every share, every property, including this house.”
“I originally planned to have you enjoy the luxury of staying in this mansion for three days before I come to my rightful position, but I can’t be merciful to my enemies.”
“You will be moving into the servant’s quarters immediately. Where you will have three days before you are evicted.” She glanced lovingly at Ethan. “Only because I love my husband.” Her face turned cold. “After three days, You shall no longer be a part of this household. Is that clear?”
“Father!” Ethan yelled when a crash sound came from behind him.
Gary Lontoc had fallen from the wheelchair and lay lifeless on the floor.