"Uncle Peter— he's married, what if his wife finds out?" Anne voiced her concern, her brow furrowed with worry.
But Uncle Peter reassured her, "Come on, it's not your fault. Besides, you just want him to help his daughter. After the surgery, you can stay away from him and let Isabella decide once she's old enough. Maybe she wants Albert in her life, or maybe not."
Anne shook her head vehemently. "I would rather look for the money instead of being tagged as a mistress."
Uncle Peter's frustration simmered beneath his words as he pleaded, "Anne, do it for Isabella! Please, I don't want my goddaughter to be blind forever."
Anne's resolve wavered as she glanced at Isabella, her heart heavy with the weight of the decision. "Fine," she conceded softly. "But I don't have his address in Manila."
Uncle Peter suggested, "We should talk to Teresa about it. I'm sure she will—"
Anne interrupted with a scoff, and skepticism. "What! Aunt Teresa again? She's the architect of all this."
But Uncle Peter persisted, "I think it's time you sort things out with her. Besides, you have Isabella as your gain now. It's not her fault, Anne."
Anne fought back her tears, her gaze fixed on her daughter. "Fine," she agreed reluctantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
A&T Home Of Decor Company, Manila.
Albert arrived at his company. Before stepping out of his car, he exhale gently. "Williams?" Albert called out, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.
Williams turned to Albert, his expression grave as he awaited his instructions.
"It's been four months already," Albert began, his voice heavy with sorrow. "But Marie is not yet healed from the loss of our daughter. What do you think I should do?"
Williams met Albert's gaze through the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed in thought. "Sir Albert, you should understand It will be hard for her to move on. You're the one who should make her happier, sir," he advised gently.
Albert nodded gently and instructed, Williams, "You can go back home and make sure to bring my wife later because we're visiting Baby Rose grave today."
"Okay, sir," Mr. Williams replied with a smile, understanding his employer's directive. Albert exited his car and strode into his luxurious company, greeted by his staff bowing respectfully.
A beautiful lady in corporate attire, holding an iPad, approached Albert and greeted him, "Good morning, sir Albert."
Albert smiled warmly at Katrina and greeted her, "Good morning, Katrina. How was your night?" He continued on his way to his office, with Katrina following closely behind.
"Fine, boss. Welcome back," Katrina replied cheerfully.
Albert simply nodded in acknowledgment as they entered his office. However, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Daniel Anthony.
"Hey, Daniel," Albert greeted him with a quick nod before turning his attention back to Katrina. "Do you have any information for me?"
"No, boss," Katrina replied.
"Then go back to your post. I'll call you when I need you," Albert instructed her kindly. Katrina nodded and left the room, leaving Albert and Daniel alone.
Daniel took a seat in front of Albert's desk and asked, "How are you doing? Welcome back," Daniel offered, his tone sincere. "How is Marie doing ?"
"I'm good," Albert sighed, taking his attention away from the computer. "I don't know Daniel, she's still in pain, always crying."
Daniel rested his hand on Albert's desk, expressing his concern. "You can do this Albert, I know you guys can do this."
Before Albert could respond, his phone rang. He quickly answered, informing Daniel, "The call is from Cebu."
Daniel nodded, advising him to pick it up. As Albert spoke on the phone, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock. "What? I'm coming right now!" he exclaimed before hanging up.
"What's the matter?" Daniel asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
Albert's voice was laced with fury as he explained, "Can you imagine that, Mr. Richard David is trying to take over my company in Cebu? The company his father sold to me before his death!"
Daniel's surprise, as he exclaimed, "What? What came over him? I thought we seal the deal already."
"I don't know what he was thinking," Albert replied, his frustration was tensed.
Daniel suggested, "I told you that we should have expanded the company and also demolished the provincial market since."
"I'm just thinking about the people in the province. If we demolish the market and take over the land, how will they survive?"
Daniel urged him to reconsider, "Come on, Albert, stop thinking about that. Look at you, your sympathy is now after your investment. We need to take action as businessmen, and think about it. Those people will start working for your company once you block their source of income. Let's do this; it will bring in lots of profits for us!"
"Okay," Albert relented, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Then someone need to take a flight to Cebu right now and meet with Mr. Richard David again, which can't be me because today is my daughter four months remembrance, we need to visit her grave."
Daniel nodded, "I understand Albert, I will go."
"Thank you Daniel."
"Okay," Albert said and focus back to his computer.
Outside Albert office, Carlos and Gloria, also employees of the A.T. Home Of Decor company, entered Katrina's office. They greeted her warmly, with Gloria exclaiming, "Hello, Katrina," and Carlos adding, "Hey, Katrina."
Katrina, who was busy operating the iPad in her hand, glanced up at them. "You two, don't tell me you're just coming to the company."
Carlos shook his head, stating, "We've been here since."
Gloria hurried over to sit beside Katrina, whispering urgently, "Don't you know the news that's circulating now?"
Carlos, looking frustrated, interjected, "When are you going to stop gossiping?"
Ignoring Carlos's remark, Gloria turned her attention back to Katrina, stating confidently, "Sir Albert will soon divorce his wife."
Katrina was taken aback by the claim and demanded, "Where did you hear that nonsense from? They just lost a child Gloria!"
Gloria asserted, "I know, and that's why Sir Albert will divorce his wife because Ma'am Marie can't give birth again. Everyone knows about it already."
Katrina stood up, her expression stern, and instructed them, "Please leave, before I loose my mind right now."
Carlos, wary of Gloria's gossip, reminded Katrina, "I told you not to listen to this girl. All she does is gossip and spread fake news."
Undeterred, Gloria insisted, "You guys should trust me. I'm not lying."
Katrina reiterated her request for them to leave, which they eventually did.
***********
Williams arrived at the mansion, the workers bustling around. He spotted Marie sitting at the dining table, her expression troubled as she held a coffee mug in her hand.
"Ma'am, Sir Albert instructed me to bring you later to the office," Williams announced, his head respectfully bowed.
Marie glanced at him briefly before looking away without uttering a word.