A few hours before Irene's arrival.

Leonica, along with her parents, we're both gathered in Benjamin's study. After Cassandra's tantrum, the air surrounding them seemed thick, but Leonica didn't care about that, no, rather she couldn't bring herself to care about it at this moment.

"If you study all these articles well, you'd realize that they all have one thing in common," She explained, using the huge television set in her father's office as a viewing board. Her parents listened intently, eyes scrolling through the articles their daughter had briefing brought up, before continuing. "The fact that they are all crafted to sound like a prompting note. This, this and even that, all have an ending sounding like they expect father to do something."

"No Leonica, you're simply thinking too much into it." Benjamin shook his head with a sigh as he spoke. He should have known that the news would also affect Leonica this way.

Who wouldn't be affected.

"No, father," Leonica objected. "I know what I'm saying. Look here," She pulled up the only article that seemed different from the ones she had read last night.

The article had the same contents as the previous ones, explaining the situation that was happening, and as usual, not mentioning Irene's name, but there was one thing different about it; rather than the usual suggestive ways, it ended with these few words. 'Could this be it for The Romero Family and how would Leonica of the Romero family, famous for handling matters in brutal ways, respond to this?'

"This is different. The person who wrote this didn't add any suggestive ending to it. They weren't even focused on you."

Once Leonica had pointed this out, her mother and father realized quickly realized it.

"So what are you saying? This is a planned attack to force my hand?" Benjamin questioned.

"From the looks of it, yes. And that's where my plan comes in. If anyone, whoever wrote this articles, is expecting a late response from you, mother anger, internal family crisis, things like that that can act as a form of delay, giving them the opportunity to capitalize on it," She glanced between her parents as she added her last point. "So we're going to beat them to it."

"How?" Cassandra asked.

Leonica held up three for her fingers. "Firstly, we're going to bring Irene home-"

Before she could complete her words, Cassandra interrupted. "That's got to be a joke?"

"Mother," Leonica gave her a stern stare. "What did I ask of you earlier? To trust me, right?"

Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line at this, silently showing that for how, she was going to agree and watch on.

Facing her father, she continued. "Secondly, we're going to release a press conference, addressing the tabloids, explaining that Irene now lives in the family mansion and has been accepted as a Romero. However, I'd be the one speaking at the conference." "What? I can't allow you do that, Leonica." Benjamin rejected, not liking the fact that he'd put Leonica in the spotlight over someone he should have handled correctly years ago.

But Leonica had another thing in mind. "Father, do you trust me? If you do, allow me do this one thing."

Of course he trusted her, but didn't want to see her under heat for something that was his doing.

But even if he wanted to object further, the look of determination in Leonica's eyes made it hard for him to utter another word.

sighed. "Alright." He agreed.

this things we've done, coincidental things still continue to happen, then I'd be convinced

19~

Present time.

stood up the window of her father's study, watching as Alan and a few other maids welcomed Irene into the

as Meredith, another maid of the house came up to inform her

smile, before proceeding to ask. "Did you prepare the room I asked

maid nodded her head.

Leonica gently patted her shoulder. "Please

her words. Not everyone had the heart to accept the sudden appearance of an

once again, before leaving the room and making her

"We've all been

you doing here?" Irene questioned, looking irritated by her

house, yes?" Came Leonica's simple answer. "Just like you, I have the right

course," Irene chuckled sarcastically. "I should have expected this much, seeing as

She pointed towards the lady beside her. "She'd be taking care of you for as long as you stay here." Turning around, she

sleeping quarters." Leonica informed, but the moment Irene stepped into the said

not even a single bed

is a joke right?" She turned to Leonica, but the

all. I'm

She scoffed

eyes. "Do you also plan on making my life miserable here? are you

els

your half sister, that you'd stoop so

didn't need to respond to Irene's words, because Meredith had beat her to

as if the miss is an evil person." "She...she did?" Irene was taking aback and could only

sure this was a

anything else, instead, she walked over to Irene and offered her a one of a

infinite card for you, but you can use this for now. There's enough money in there to get you whatever furniture you'd

She was speechless.

wisely, okay?"

าวน

"Oh, and also," She paused, taking something from Meredith's hand. It was a phone. "You'd be using this phone from now on," She glanced at the one in her hand and tsked.

hit Irene faster than a moving train. "How

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