Celestine looked around the place where she was brought by her Aunt Beatriz. The place is located up in the mountains where the entire city could be seen below.
As far as Celestine remembers, Beatriz is their Dad's only sister. Beatriz often visits their house before when her parents were still together.
Beatriz spends most of her time overseas, traveling and exploring a lot of new things all over the world, the perks of being a bachelorette.
Celestine could not help but notice Beatriz' frail and sickly body frame which is in contrast to her once voluptuous physique which screams elegance and beauty from head to foot.
But now, there are dark circles under her eyes, the bones of her face are now exposed after losing so much weight due to her undiagnosed sickness.
Numerous physicians from all over the world examined Beatriz but none seemed to have been able to successfully find the cause of her disease and diagnose her.
The bones of her body are clearly visible now that they have arrived in Beatriz's well-lit mansion. The space is so big but she does not have a family to share it with except Celestine and Ryan, her only legal family.
The very moment they arrived, flocks of caregivers and in-house physicians greeted Beatriz and immediately made her sit down on a wheelchair.
The attending nurse pushed her wheelchair inside her bedroom while Celestine follows them from behind. All of the room's walls are made out of glass which enables people from the inside to see the night city lights view from above.
The nurses placed the wheelchair of Beatriz facing the panoramic view of the city. She has a hard time standing for long periods of time so Celestine thinks how important it must be for them to talk that Beatriz herself went along with her body guards.
"Celestine, a person knows when he or she is dying out of sickness." Beatriz fixed her gaze forward, Celestine standing beside her, holding on to the straps of her back pack.
The memories of the night when her mother died came surging into Celestine, "What are you talking about?"
Beatriz pushed a button on her wheelchair which made it turn to Celestine's direction automatically, "I am dying. What keeps me going is by looking forward to this moment of talking with you." tears welled-up in her eyes.
Celestine gave her a questioning gaze, quite uncertain with what her Aunt was trying to say.
"For years, I have always wanted to help you and your Mom because I felt responsible for my brother's shameful actions. But his men had stopped me from doing so, controlling all the staff I sent to find you. Now, I know it is too late but I will grab every opportunity to help you."Beatriz barely spoke in her weak voice.
Celestine's face contorts while trying to stop her tears. "What do you mean?"
"Arthur has been eager to take my wealth as soon as I die. But he can't do that if I put my assets under you and Ryan's name. As you might know, our parents left me the Medical City, our family-owned hospital but it will be yours." Beatriz shut her eyes close and furrowed her brows as if she was in such great pain and continued, "Ryan will inherit our engineering and architectural firm."
In that very moment, Celestine's lips quivered as she sobbed and the tears she had been holding out for long came rushing down her cheeks. She let go of her backpack and embraced her dying Aunt. She could feel the frail and fragile body of Beatriz.
Beatriz rubbed Celestine's back to hush her crying, "My poor niece. You and Ryan have been through so much. My trusted employees will be managing the businesses until you two are ready but the battle does not end here. You have to be wise in all your dealings or else, it will all drift away from your hands." Beatriz then coughed so hard Celestine began to worry about her.
On the drive on the way home, Celestine heavily pondered on what just happened. Her Aunt Beatriz warned her to keep the said inheritance as a secret most especially from their father, Arthur.
As soon as she arrived back home, Celestine came running to Ryan as she informed her of what just happened. The two then conspired a plan now that they have someone on their side.
Ten years have passed since that night. A glass full of red wine on her hand, Celestine is standing inside her luxurious condo unit while contemplating on what has happened with their lives since they ran away from home.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. For the first time in years that she has lived abroad, Celestine returns.
She wanted everyone in high society to know her and learn about her existence. Celestine kept herself in the shadows but now is the time she reveals herself.
Of course, her father and his family are invited among all the enthusiastic visitors wanting to get to know her. In the business, expanding your network and connections is vital in your company's success.
Celestine made sure that the party would be the most glamorous one the wealthy people had ever been to. She wants to flaunt her fortune and let them know she is not someone to mess with. Arthur Lim and his family are her most awaited guests tomorrow night.
For ten years, Celestine worked on building and improving the fortune her Aunt Beatriz left to her. Above all, Celestine grew wiser and as cunning as his father who considered her as his spitting image. She wanted to show him how much she has changed.
The next day, Celestine oversees herself the progress of the beauty of the mansion where the party will be held. Introducing herself in the business community is a baby step to her planned revenge.
Almost a hundred people are working on decorating the entirety of her mansion, making sure each and every meter of the estate screams royalty and wealth. Making sure that the guests will drop their jaws to see and imagine how rich she might be. To threaten and to build her reputation as a business woman.