Thirteen years after.
"Rose, the driver is waiting. Hurry, so that you won't be late," Marie said, standing in the center of the living room. A young, beautiful lady was stepping down the stairs with grateful elegance that reflected her upbringing. She had long, flowing chestnut hair that framed her delicate features, dangling behind her. She carried herself with a poise that spoke of her refined upbringing, and her beautiful smile lit up the room.
"Moma, I'm done," Rose said as she leaned closer and pecked Marie on the cheek. Then she headed outside.
Marie treated Rose as her own, and Rose shared a particularly close bond with Marie, who had been a mentor and role model. Albert also admired Rose's tenacity and often involved her in his business. Immediately after Rose left the house, Albert came down from the bedroom. He was on a call and visibly angry. After he ended the call, Marie asked him, "What is wrong?"
"Home Decor Corporation rejected our proposal again," Albert said, frustrated. "It's becoming as if it's on purpose."
Marie wrapped her arms around Albert's neck and said, "Please calm down. But why do you have so much interest in this Home Decor Corporation? Our company is big enough to stand on its own. We are the number one in the Philippines."
Albert stepped away a bit from Marie, feeling frustrated. "Come on, love, Home Decor Corporation is the number one interior decor company in the whole world. We need to work together for the growth of my company. Besides, I don't want any of my board members to pull out their shares."
Marie exhaled and asked, "So, who owns this Home Decor Corporation now?"
Albert narrowed his eyes and said, "I remember it was Mr. Jethro Gomez, but he died eight years ago. So I don't know who owns it now."
Marie said, "Then we need to find out no matter what it takes. We should know who owns it."
Albert thought to himself, "Who owns the company now? I must find out."
United States.
Anne stood on the balcony of her penthouse, gazing at the sprawling city below. The evening air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of traffic and life. To the world, she was a paragon of success – the CEO of a multinational Home Decor corporation, a philanthropist, and a socialite. But beneath the veneer of opulence and power, Anne still harbored a secret that had driven her every move for the past thirteen years.
Inside, her home was a testament to luxury – marble floors, priceless art, and an aura of untouchable elegance. She crossed the room to a small, unassuming drawer. With a glance over her shoulder, she unlocked it, revealing a faded photograph of Isabella and Mrs. Francois, their faces lit with joy. Their memory was as vivid as yesterday, and it shattered Anne's heart every time. Her daughter's laughter silenced forever, her mother's comforting presence gone in an instant.
A&T Home Of Decor Company lied and denied their involvement with that tragedy, but Anne knew better. She had seen the evidence. Anne disappeared one night, leaving behind the ashes of her former life. She met a billionaire old man with brain cancer, who loved and married her. The billionaire had no family, and he willed all his properties to Anne, then died.
Anne spent years in the shadows, learning, building, amassing the wealth and power needed to return. She adopted a new name, Elena Gomez, a new persona. Now, as Elena Gomez, she was on the cusp of her vengeance. Her fingers traced the edge of the photograph before she locked it away once more. The time was almost right. She had waited, planned, and soon, those responsible would face the consequences of their actions.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. Anne glanced at the screen and saw a message from her assistant, Uncle Peter.
"A proposal from A&T Home Of Decor, they're offering 50% this time around," it read.
Anne smirked, typing a quick reply. "Decline it, I want more!"
She poured glass of wine and stood beside the window, her thoughts drifting back to Isabella and Mrs. Francois.
"Justice is coming," she whispered to herself. "I promise."
The door cracked open. Elena slowly turned to see who it was. Sebastian, now a grown, handsome young man, stood in the doorway.
"Hey, Sebastian, you're back," Elena said with a warm smile.
Sebastian hugged and pecked Elena on the cheek. "Yes, Mom."
Elena's expression turned serious. "Get ready. We will be going back to the Philippines very soon."
Sebastian noticed the pain in Elena's face and asked, "Are you sure you're ready to go back to the Philippines now, Mom?"
Elena smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."
Sebastian's concern softened into a supportive smile. "Anything for you, Mom."
As Sebastian turned to leave, Elena called after him. "Sebastian?"
He turned back to her. "Yes, Mom?"
"Continue keeping your identity hidden and make sure you don't tell your friend Sarah in the Philippines that we're coming home."
Sebastian nodded. "I understand, Mom."
As Sebastian stepped out of the room, he had a flashback to thirteen years ago. His grandparents had just died, and he was left with no one. He had approached Anne, grief-stricken of her daughter.
"Please, Aunt Anne, can I be your child? I promise to make you happy," he had pleaded.
Anne, who was also grieving the loss of Isabella, looked at Sebastian with tear-filled eyes. She pulled him closer and hugged him tightly, their shared sorrow binding them together in a new family bond.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Sebastian got into his car and drove off.
Manila.
On her way to school, Rose was using her earpiece, listening to music, when her car hit another car. Rose removed her earpiece as her head hit the front seat. Mr. Williams, her driver, quickly apologized.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. It's that other car's fault," he said.
"Are you okay?" Rose asked him, concern in her voice.
"Yes, ma'am," Mr. Williams replied. "Let me talk to the other driver."
They hadn't finished their conversation when a lady of the same age as Rose walked up to them and knocked on their car window. Rose saw who it was, clicked her tongue in frustration, and the driver rolled down the window.
"I knew it! It's you again, the adopted freak!" the lady spat. "Get down and repair my car!"
Mr. Williams, Rose's driver, retorted, "But you are the one at fault. You should be apologizing to ma'am Rose."
Rose looked at Mr. Williams and said, "It's okay," then turned to face the lady. "Sarah, you heard my driver. He said you're at fault."
Sarah scoffed, "Seriously? Are you two blind? Your driver obviously wasn't looking where he was going."
Rose opened her purse, took out some money, and stretched it towards Sarah.
Feeling insulted, Sarah snapped, "Are you nuts? Showing off? You wanted to bribe me?"
"What is your problem?" Rose asked, exasperated. "I'm giving you the money to fix your car!"
Sarah nodded, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "You know what? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. You're just like your murderer father who always used money to cover his crimes!"
Rose's anger flared, but before she could respond, Sarah ordered her driver, "Drive me out of here!"
He did as instructed. Sarah tried to stop them, but she couldn't. Frustrated, she shouted, "You'll pay for this!" as her phone started ringing. She picked it up.
"Hello?" she answered tersely.
"Hey, Sarah, where are you---? You sound worked up," Sebastian said, his voice calm as he drove.
Sarah quickly composed herself. "Don't mind me, I was just sorting out some issues. Why did you call?"
"I've got a surprise for you."
Sarah find it difficult to hear Sebastian because of network, "hello can you hear me?" Sarah asked and Sebastian hung up.
Surprised, Sarah looked at her phone, then got into her car and drove off.
United States.
Elena was sitting elegantly inside her luxurious living room when Uncle Peter, who was beside her, was on a video call with the Home Decor Cooperation board members. He told them, "The boss wants to establish another company in the Philippines, and the launch will be soon. So, the news should be spread on the internet."
After Uncle Peter finished the video call, he looked at Elena. "Elena, I've done what you asked for, but are you sure you really want this?"
Elena frowned. "Yes, this is what I want. We are leaving for the Philippines next week."
Uncle Peter nodded as Elena walked away.
It was all over the news that the CEO of Home Decor Cooperation was coming to the Philippines to invest, which would affect A&T Home Of Decor Company. This became a threat to Albert's company. Daniel came to him, his face tight with concern.
"Why is it difficult to get access to the person who owns Home Decor Cooperation? I heard it was a lady, but her manager is the one doing most of the work," Daniel said.
Albert narrowed his eyes. "A lady? Is she hiding her identity?"
"According to my investigation, yes," Daniel replied. "She even changed the name of the company to Home Decor Cooperation, similar to our company's name. We need to do something!"
They were in the middle of their conversation when Daniel's phone beeped. He checked it, his face going pale. "What the hell!"
Albert looked up sharply. "What happened?"
Daniel's voice shook. "Home Decor Cooperation has announced their new headquarters will launch in the Philippines!"
Albert slammed his hand on the desk. "This can't be happening! No way! We will lose our investors if they do!"
Daniel looked at Albert, panic in his eyes. "So, what should we do now?"
Albert's expression turned grim. "We need to get this mystery lady and make her invest in our company instead."
The next week, Elena and Sebastian prepared for their flight to the Philippines.
"Mom, are you really ready for this?" Sebastian asked immediately they left the mansion.
Elena turned to him, her gaze steely. "I've been ready for thirteen years. This is my time."
Sebastian nodded, trusting her completely. "I'm with you, no matter what."
As they boarded the plane, Elena's thoughts were a whirlwind of memories and plans. She had waited so long for this moment. The closer they got to the Philippines, the stronger her resolve became.