While driving to FR Construction Company, with Matthew in the passenger seat and Dominic in the back, the driver suddenly hit the brakes. "What's happening?" Dominic asked.
"It looks like Miss Arette's younger brother and her police friend," Matthew replied.
Garette and Dami stood in front of Dominic's car, blocking its path. They hurried to Dominic's window, tapping on the glass.
Matthew quickly exited the car, and his men from another vehicle behind him also got out, moving to remove Dami and Garette from the road. But Dominic lowered the window and commanded his men, "Stop!"
In front of the FR Construction company, Dominic stepped out of the car, his expression unreadable.
"We're sorry for doing this, but we have a problem," Dami said, her voice tense.
Dominic arched an eyebrow. "And this concerns me how?"
Garette sniffled, wiping tears from his face. "I need to talk to my sister."
Dominic remained calm, his tone measured. "The audacity for you two to come to me and request any form of contact with Arette is really shocking. Do you have a death wish?"
Garette's voice trembled with determination. "I don't care. I need to talk to my sister, or else."
Dominic's demeanor remained composed as he responded, "Or else what? Shouldn't you be in school right now?"
Garette's resolve hardened as he retorted, "You know, I have no qualms about walking into a radio station and telling them that Dominic Ferrari likes to kidnap young girls."
A mocking chuckle escaped Dominic's lips. "Are you trying to threaten me?" he asked, his tone tinged with amusement.
Dami, though aware of Dominic's power to make them disappear without a trace, stood by Garette's side. "It's not a threat, it's just facts," she interjected. "Either you let us talk to Arette, or we'll do just that."
Dominic's patience wore thin as he addressed them sternly. "I promised Arette I wouldn't harm you two, but you're really pushing it."
Garette's tough facade crumbled, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded, "Please, just let me speak to my sister. It's really important."
He sank to his knees, hands clasped together in a desperate plea towards Dominic.
Dominic's expression hardened as he demanded, "What could possibly be so important?"
"It's a family matter," Garette replied, his voice choking with emotion.
"How dare you?" Dominic's anger flared suddenly. He swiftly bent down, seizing Garette by the neck and forcefully pinning him against the car. "I'm part of the family too," he growled through clenched teeth. "Don't you understand? I'm the love of your sister's life." With that, Dominic released his grip on Garette's neck.
Garette coughed as he caught his breath, still reeling from Dominic's forceful grip.
"Arette is nothing without my love, which makes you my brother-in-law. That means I'm part of the family now," Dominic said.
Dami's voice cut through the tension. "I doubt Arette is dependent on your love, Chairman Ferrari." Dominic's gaze shifted to Dami, his expression unreadable.
"I know for a fact that Arette despises you. When I revealed your corrupt businesses to her, you know what she said? She asked how a monster like you can sleep at night."
"What?" Dominic exclaimed, visibly shaken by Dami's words.
"Perhaps allowing her to meet her brother for once will at least give her the chance to look at you without feeling disgust," Dami suggested, glaring at him with disgust.
Dominic stepped menacingly close to Dami, his anger palpable, but Dami remained unfazed by his intimidating presence.
"I will rip your mouths to shreds," Dominic threatened through gritted teeth.
Dami met his gaze squarely. "Do that, and Arette will hate you for eternity," she countered calmly, her determination unyielding despite Dominic's aggression.
–
Arette and April found themselves deep in debate in Arette's room, discussing the unresolved ending of "Forbidden Desires."
"Okay, okay, I get it, but why do you think Ethan wouldn't accept the baby?" April inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Arette sighed, leaning back against her pillows. "Because Ethan is broke as hell. He can barely take care of himself. Do you really think he'd want a baby and Maria to add to his problems?"
April considered this for a moment before countering, "But love can be a powerful motivator. I think Ethan would accept the baby and Maria. He'd do his best to take care of them."
Arette shook her head, a hint of frustration in her voice. "With Lois out to get Ethan? Everything Ethan does probably annoys the hell out of him. He wouldn't want Ethan to play family with her little sister."
April was about to respond, but her words were interrupted by a knock on the door.
The door creaked open slightly, and Matthew's head appeared in the gap. "Ms. Arette," he began, stepping into the room.
Matthew addressed them both, his tone businesslike. "Chairman Ferrari needs you both… you too Ms Anderson to get ready to go out."
"Where are we going?" she inquired urgently.
Matthew replied calmly, "We're going to meet your brother and your police friend. I'll be waiting for you downstairs."
Upon hearing his answer, Arette turned to April, her eyes filling with unshed tears. April, offering a reassuring smile, pulled her in a comforting hug.
"Let's get ready," April suggested softly, guiding Arette as they prepared for the upcoming meeting. April chose a dress and Mary Jane white shoes for Arette, while she opted for simple jeans and white top, paired with sneakers.
Descending the stairs together, memories flooded Arette's mind as she recognized the spot where Dominic had yelled for Mrs. Wolfe from.
Arette was so overjoyed about returning home that she didn't bother to remember the directions she took to reach the stairs. Matthew led the way to the main door, where he placed his thumbs on a fingerprint device that unlocked it.
As the large door swung open, the three of them walked out and headed straight to a black car that Matthew had driven.
April opened the back seat door for Arette, who eagerly took her seat, while April sat in the passenger seat and Matthew started the car engine.
It took thirty minutes for the car to finally reach the city, and Arette couldn't contain her happiness.
She believed that Dominic was finally letting her go, unaware that she was only going to see Garette for a brief moment.
Matthew eventually arrived at one of the largest clubs in the city, finding a parking spot before leading Arette and April inside.
The air was thick with heat and the scent of alcohol, and although Arette wasn't particularly fond of such places, she couldn't help but smile.
Making their way through the crowd, Matthew guided them to a VIP section where Dominic sat with an air of authority, while Garette and Dami nervously occupied seats opposite him.
As soon as Dami spotted Arette, she exclaimed, "Arette!"
Garette immediately rose to his feet and dashed over to envelop Arette in a tight hug. It was an uncharacteristic display of affection from him, but the circumstances demanded it.
Dami also joined in, wrapping her arms around the Choi siblings as Garette openly shed tears.
Pulling away slightly, Arette looked at Garette with concern and asked through her own tears, "Why are you crying? You're supposed to be annoying me as usual."
"I'm sorry," Garette's sobs intensified, leaving Arette feeling puzzled.
Garette wasn't usually one to show much emotion, so it was surprising to see him crying so openly, especially over her situation with Dominic Ferrari.
"Arette..." Garette began, his voice choked with emotions, "Mom and Dad are gone."