In a dim and musty place resembling a warehouse, Ricardo can be seen just ending a call and instructing a woman to be brought out.
Cecilia, who used to be haughty, now looks like a pitiful dog, trembling in fear at the sight of Ricardo.
“What are you going to do?” Cecilia tremulously asked.
Ricardo smiled, “You’ll find out soon.” before handing a package to his associate, “Take her to the room and let her parents watch.”
“Yes, sir!” the associate replied before taking Cecilia to a room. The associate approached Cecilia, opened his mouth, and fed her a pill.
Cecilia wanted to spit out the tablet, but she had already swallowed it. She cried and trembled, her vision spinning in seconds and her body heating up. Her parents were brought into the same room, tied up with three guards watching over them. They knelt Cecilia’s parents down and watching Cecilia undress slowly, losing her sanity.
“My daughter! What are you doing?!” Cecilia’s mother cried.
“What have you done to my daughter?!” her father shouted.
The leading associate grinned, “We are just doing to her what she did to someone she shouldn’t have hurt.”
“Who?!” Cecilia’s father asked.
Ricardo’s associate didn’t respond but instructed other associates, “Bring them in.”
Upon this command, five big men entered wearing only underwear, surrounding Cecilia. “Do what you want,” Ricardo’s associate coldly ordered before leaving.
Cecilia’s parents were left tied up and unable to escape as three guards prevented them. “Cecilia! No!” Cecilia’s mother cried.
Cecilia couldn’t hear anything before embracing a big man. The man smiled before pushing Cecilia onto the bed.
Cecilia’s parents could only watch in agony and tears as they saw their daughter actions. In their extreme anger, Cecilia’s mother fainted.
…
In a villa, Victoria continued her training under 12 servants and as three months passed, the once shy and timid Victoria, lacking self-confidence, had undergone a significant transformation. One could say that she had lived a life lower than a mouse before, but Victoria now exuded elegance, grace, and a commanding presence. Her face was strikingly beautiful, radiating a somewhat intimidating aura that no one dared to challenge.
“Mistress, this is the day you promised to Master,” said Number 3.
Victoria smiled, “Of course, when I return, I will bring you gifts and some souvenirs from the UK,” she calmly replied, her tone carrying a hint of dominance.
Number 3 nodded happily, realizing that this transformation was part of their teaching to prevent Victoria from being belittled and bullied in other countries. Despite Victoria’s changes, her true self and kind heart remained intact.
Victoria’s transformation was solely to protect herself from others and to stand dignified alongside Lucas in the future. Wearing a designer dress, Victoria walked out carrying her luggage and got into the car headed to the airport.
Lucas knew that Victoria was leaving now, and for three years he would be deprived of her sinigang. So, he continued to focus on growing the company, shifting his attention to other departments while maintaining the Jewelry Department as it was.
…
Time passed quickly and three years had gone by. Lucas could be seen wearing a black suit, staring at the clock as if waiting for someone, he was at the airport.
Today was the day of Victoria’s return. Lucas didn’t know how he felt – he was nervous, excited, and felt an indescribable emotion; he didn’t know how he would react when he saw Victoria.
At that moment, a beautiful woman in a yellow long dress caught his eye, her long and smooth legs visible, her body’s shape was perfect. She wore sunglasses, but her stunning appearance couldn’t be concealed. Her elegant walk captivated the countless onlookers around her.
Some were almost awestruck, and others were curious about who this woman was or which prominent family she belonged to. When Lucas saw the woman, he was enchanted, his heart beating faster and uncontrollable. The woman walked towards Lucas step by step.
“Come, let’s visit grandfather first,” Victoria said with a smile.
Lucas regained his composure before instructing his driver to put Victoria’s luggage in the car trunk. He opened the backseat and let Victoria in before driving towards Grandfather Greg’s villa.
Onlookers were surprised, knowing they couldn’t catch up with a woman like Victoria, especially when she rode in a Rolls Royce Cullinan. They knew she didn’t come from a normal family.
In the car, Lucas didn’t know what to say. He cleared his throat before asking, “How’s life in another country?”
Victoria smiled gallantly, “It’s okay. I managed to survive the three years.”
Lucas knew Victoria was humble; she didn’t want to boast about her achievements in the UK, so he changed the subject. “Are you ready to be the director of the design team in the jewelry department?” he asked.
Victoria seemed to ponder for a moment before replying, “I want to start as a regular employee first. I don’t want them to think I got in through the backdoor and not because I have the ability.”
Lucas nodded.
“Also, I want to keep a low profile. I don’t want them to know I’m your wife. I want to understand the company environment on my own terms,” she said with a smile.
Lucas nodded again, understanding Victoria’s intentions.
“If that’s the case, start on Monday. Rest for a few days in the villa; the servants miss you,” he said.
Victoria nodded silently, and they sat quietly as they arrived at their grandfather’s villa.
When they got out of the car, the gardeners didn’t recognize Victoria at first glance because of the significant change in her appearance. They warmly greeted and praised her when they saw the remarkable transformation. There was a commotion outside the villa, and the old man stood up before opening the door of the villa.
“Victoria, my beautiful granddaughter!” he joyfully exclaimed upon seeing Victoria again after many years.
Victoria respectfully approached the old man and held his hand. “Grandfather Greg, I missed you,” she said.
The old man laughed, “You’ve changed so much since the last time we met. I never thought you would change to this extent. You and my grandson Lucas are a perfect match,” he happily said.
Victoria smiled, “Thank you and Lucas for accepting me, despite knowing my past. You never abandoned me, so I worked hard and will continue to exert more to help Lucas in his company in the future.”
Greg smiled, “Lucas said your sinigang is delicious, I would like to taste it but you must be tired from the journey.”
“Grandfather, if you want, I can cook for you. I will just prepare the ingredients and it’s still early, there’s time to cook for lunch,” she politely said.
“Oh, there’s no need to prepare,” Grandfather Greg said before showing a mysterious smile.
Victoria was puzzled, seeing Victoria’s confusion, he led them inside the villa and directed them to the kitchen. Victoria saw that the ingredients she needed in the kitchen were already prepared, as if they were just waiting for her to cook them.
Victoria looked at Lucas and saw him avoiding her gaze, she smiled, knowing that Lucas was the one who truly wanted it.
“If you want to taste my sinigang, just say so, no need to go through Grandfather,” she said with a smile.
Lucas pretended not to know anything, “I just want Grandfather to taste how delicious my wife’s sinigang is,” he said nonchalantly.
“Okay okay, you don’t have to say anything, I’ll cook your favorite now,” Victoria said before putting on an apron and starting to move in the kitchen.
Lucas was in a good mood at this moment, so he sat quietly and watched Victoria as she worked, and Grandfather Greg did the same.
…
..
In a large villa in the city, a thin woman with a fearful face can be seen. When Victoria saw her, she did not immediately recognize her until the woman introduced herself.