Mrs Beatrice had followed the entire fiasco from afar.
When she saw JL Architectures trending, the multiple allegations meted against June, and the sudden turn of events, she decided to conduct her own investigations.
She felt concerned with the amount of hatred and bad blood between her daughter-in-law and her family, and she hoped that a visit would mend broken bonds and form new family bonds too.
It was about time she got to know her in-laws too! If she left it up to her son, she would grow grey hairs and be six feet under before she got the pleasure of meeting them. Hence, she took matters into her own hands.
Mrs Beatrice had informed April and her mother of her desire to visit, and they made proper preparations to welcome the honoured guest. In the Rivera family house, April spoke to her mother.
“Mrs Beatrice Ambrose is akin to the Queen Mother of South City. If she wants to see us, I believe it has something to do with that daughter of yours!” She fumed.
“No matter what happens, you must give a convincing act. Make sure that June is blamed for everything. I will not repeat myself. If you fail to bring this woman on my side, then you can forget about seeing Antonio ever again! Do you understand?”
“Yes…” Evelyn said in a small tone. Her boldness was depleted since her husband went missing. She hadn’t even filed a missing report and told people he was out on a vacation.
“Are you mute?! Speak clearly!” April barked and her mother jittered.
“Yes.” She said with a louder voice.
“Better.” April heard knocks on the door and she ordered. “Come in!”
A maid rushed into the place with her head bowed.
“Do not waste my time, speak!”
The maid swallowed at the sternness of April’s voice. “There are some guests here to see the Madame.” She didn’t raise her head. “Do we let them in?”
April’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected these people to show up so early. Her reply was quick. “Hurry, let them in quickly! I will be there in a second.”
The maid was glad to leave their presence and April faced her mother. “Good. I need you to keep that mood throughout this meeting. We must smear June’s name so anyone backing her will be forced to retreat.”
Evelyn couldn’t believe how she never saw this side of her daughter all these years. Was April always like this or is this a phase? The amount of hate that oozed from her daughter was one for the records.
April headed to the living room with her mother beside her, both wearing an ashen face. Mrs Beatrice stood in the middle of the sitting room with some guards from the Ambrose Family house.
“Mrs Ambrose!” April got into action. “Thank you for honouring us with your presence. Please sit.”
Beatrice took a seat. “April Rivera is it not?”
“Lontoc.” Evelyn corrected with a frozen smile. “Welcome to the Rivera family house, Mrs Ambrose. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Mrs Beatrice raised her brow as she looked over Evelyn, who had strikingly similar features to her daughter-in-law. Her smile was genuine as she spoke. “Mrs Rivera. You look so beautiful. The pleasure is mine.”
April hated that such an esteemed guest seemed more interested in Evelyn than her. She was the CEO of both companies. If there was anyone who should be having a conversation with such important people, it should be her.
“Mrs Ambrose! What would you like to have.” She snapped her fingers at the maids at the far end of the room. “Don’t be lazy! Quickly! Get some juice for our guest.”
Mrs Beatrice shook her head and politely declined. She didn’t have much time and preferred to get to the root of things as quickly as possible.
“I know you must be surprised at my sudden visit.” Mrs Beatrice started. “I saw the fuss on the internet concerning this family and thought to reach out. I hope you don’t take offence.”
April spoke before her mother could say a word. “Of course not. I am just happy that with all the misunderstanding about us, you still came to console and hear our side of the story.” She said with a smile. “Aren’t you happy mother?”
Evelyn swallowed, “Of course.”
Mrs Beatrice felt confused for a second but she covered it well. “I heard the terrible news of the death of your husband and the Lontoc family elders. A tragedy. Please accept my condolences.”
Beatrice snapped her fingers and one of the guards came closer. “Please present the gifts to this family.”
April feigned gracefulness, “My goodness. You didn’t need to come with gifts. Your esteemed presence at our house is goodwill enough towards us.”
Evelyn nodded. At this rate, she was a willful slave at the hands of her daughter. Void of her own opinions and retorts. She’ll do anything to have her husband.
“I insist,” Beatrice said and the next few minutes were spent bringing in some items she got to visit her inlaws. Although they didn’t know it yet, she hoped to one day come in here with more items to thank them for raising a woman able to mend her son’s heart.
June was the answer to her prayers.
“Like I said before, I found out the tragic story on the internet and decided to schedule a visit. I am willing to support this family in these trying times but I have a question.”
“Why are you at odds with your daughter?” Evelyn and April stiffened. “It seemed to me that you are not in a good relationship with her and I am a firm believer of the bond family share. In these trying times, I expected the family to put their differences aside and support each other but it seems like it only deepened the strife.”
Evelyn felt tongue-tied. Her daughter’s gaze was harsh on her skin, no doubt, expecting her to say something. To play by her script. When she wasted time speaking, April decided to take the lead.
“I share the same family values with you.” April suddenly sounded sombre. “However, my sister will stop at nothing to discredit and destroy the name of this family.” She sniffed, eyes glassy. “My mother is a witness to the numerous times I have tried to apologize to sister for getting married to Brother Ethan when she tarnished her womb from sleeping around.”
“I was only trying to be helpful. When my late husband resolved to take another wife because of her cheating ways, I decided to sacrifice my life and get pregnant for her husband.” April was crying now.
“I swear I was never trying to take her husband. I only wanted my sister to have a better life. I even volunteered to give up the rights to the child, but she refused and continued on her evil ways with men until she was divorced.”
April shared a heated look with her mother. “Despite the many ways I tried to reconcile with my sister, she only curses me and my mother and brings pain anywhere she goes.”
Evelyn took over. “I know the world might think of us as the villains, but we are the victims.” She let her eyes water, “I gave birth to June. I carried her for nine months and watched her grow. I couldn’t slander her for the world.”
“Despite the ways she has hurt and disappointed this family, I still love her.” She turned to Beatrice. “You are a mother. Is it possible to hate your own child?”
Beatrice couldn’t utter a word. When she came here, she never expected to hear such things. She still struggled to believe that June had lived such a reckless and uncultured life.
“June had always been the black goat of the family. No matter how hard I tried to train her properly, she always ended up causing trouble.” Evelyn shook her head. “She even killed her father with heartache. I know I might not be the perfect mother or the perfect human, but June is simply evil.”
“She vowed never to forgive Ethan and teach him a lesson. Today, Ethan and his parents are dead. is dead. She is unhinged and the best pretender. I just hope that she doesn’t end up in prison while trying to destroy us.”
April hugged her mother. “It’s okay Mother. I promised to protect us and I will. Sister will not do any harm to us.”
“I hope so. June has never failed on any promise. She promised to make us weep and today, look at you, not only did you lose your pregnancy but you are a widow at such a young age!”
April shook her head. “Although sister is very dangerous, I don’t think she will hurt us. She is just still angry. I hope to find her and beg her properly. Maybe she will forgive me.”
Beatrice watched the duo with shock. The sincerity in their eyes as they spoke was convincing enough. June had lost her womb? Did she kill her father? Suddenly Beatrice felt like her heart was on fire.
Just who was this woman she had allowed close to her son?