At that mont the glass cup in Valentina’s father’s hand slipped slightly, clinking against the table as he caught it just in ti. His fingers trembled. His heartbeat echoed in his ears. He didn’t even realize Maria had slowly stood beside him until her shaky breath reached his shoulder.
Sebastian was still on his knees, staring up at them.
Confused. Hopeful. But Valentina’s father’s face had gone pale.
His eyes darted between the screen and the man kneeling before him.
Maria gasped.
"Did you hear what they just said?"
Valentina’s father didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. His body had gone stiff. His mind was racing.
They had just been given a death sentence—one they didn’t even ask for.
And the man responsible for bringing it to their doorstep... was already in their house.
Valentina’s father was still staring at the screen, his face frozen in disbelief. The words from the news kept playing in his head like a warning bell.
’Anyone who associates with the Sebastian family...’
His jaw clenched. Slowly, he turned back to Sebastian, who was still on his knees, eyes filled with desperation, hands stretched forward like a beggar.
"You want to what?" Valentina’s father snapped, his voice sharp, louder than before. "Buy your shares?"
Maria’s eyes widened, her heart racing. "Is this guy serious?"
Sebastian nodded quickly. "Yes, please. You’ll be helping us. We’ll—"
"Are you crazy?" Valentina’s father cut him off. "Do you even have an idea what you’re asking?"
Sebastian froze. His lips parted, but nothing ca out.
Valentina’s father stepped forward, face now burning with anger.
"You ca to my house—my house—after everything that’s going on, and you’re asking to buy shares? When the whole country is watching? When the news just said anyone connected to your family could be dragged down too?"
"I didn’t an—" Sebastian stamred.
"Didn’t an what?" Maria jumped in.
"Are you trying to get us killed? Do you know how powerful those people are? Do you think because we’re rich, we can’t be destroyed too? In less than a minute, they wiped out your family’s entire na! how long will it take them to do sa to us, seconds"
"Please, it’s not like that. I swear—" Sebastian tried to explain, but the fire in their eyes only grew hotter.
"Get up," Valentina’s father ordered, grabbing Sebastian by the arm. "You’re not dragging us down with you."
"Sir, just listen—"
"I said get up!" he shouted, yanking him harder.
Maria grabbed the other arm. "Before soone sees you here. Before anyone dares report you were in this house."
"Please, I’m begging—"
But they didn’t wait. In a flash, they both shoved him toward the door, their hearts pounding, fear rising with every second.
Sebastian barely had ti to finish his sentence.
"No, that’s not it—just listen—" he tried to explain, his voice cracking.
But Valentina’s father and Maria weren’t hearing any of it. They shoved him—harder this ti—as if touching him too long would stain them.
"Out!" Valentina’s father barked. "Before soone sees you here!"
Sebastian stumbled backward, his feet dragging against the floor, still trying to speak.
"Please... I didn’t an—"
But before the words could co out, he was already at the doorstep. The door slamd shut in his face.
"Click. Locked."
The silence that followed was loud.
Inside the house, Valentina’s father stood still, his chest heaving. Maria leaned against the wall, arms crossed tightly.
They looked at each other. Their eyes said everything.
"What just happened?" Maria finally whispered.
At that mont Valentina’s father swallowed, the weight of it sinking in.
"Who did that boy family offend?"
Maria shook her head slowly. "This isn’t normal. This is... serious."
"No," he murmured. "This is beyond serious. This is disaster."
The room stayed quiet again, heavy with fear. Neither of them could move. Neither of them could understand how soone—anyone—could crush a powerful family like Sebastian’s in minutes.
Who had that kind of power?
"Who?"
They didn’t know.
But one thing was clear—they prayed, with everything in them, that they never crossed paths with whoever it was.
Because this... this was terrifying.
**
Not long after Raymond arrives at Sterling design.
At that mont Raymond’s stomach growled as he turned into the lot outside Sterling Design, he didn’t even bother to check what wa going on with the bastard now.
However none of that mattered now. He had co here for her.
As he parked the car, his brows pulled together when he saw a figure standing by the side of the lot.
It was Valentina.
She was already there, waiting for him—her arms crossed, standing close to the building, her back straight, but her eyes darting around quickly like she didn’t want anyone to see her. Her expression was sharp, focused, like she had made up her mind about sothing.
Raymond stepped out of the car imdiately, quietly closing the door behind him.
His eyes never left her. He could already tell—sothing wasn’t right. She wasn’t the type to stand out here without reason.
She walked toward him quickly, not wasting a second.
"Why are you out here?" he asked, his tone low, concerned. "You could’ve waited inside."
Imdiately Valentina shook her head.
"No. I didn’t want anyone to see you co in with . You know how people talk. I don’t want whispers flying around the office."
Raymond looked at her for a mont, saying nothing. Then, gently, his eyes moved to her arm. His gaze sharpened. He reached out carefully, his fingers hovering just above her wrist.
"Let see," he said quietly. "Where is it?"
Valentina gave a small sigh and turned her arm slightly, revealing the spot.
"It’s nothing serious," she said quickly.
"Just a little tension. I’m fine."
However Raymond didn’t look convinced. His hand didn’t touch her, but his eyes scanned every inch like he was searching for damage only he could see, but it was fine.
"You always worry too much," Valentina added, trying to give a small smile.
He didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her arm, then back at her face.
"If sothing had happened to you, I don’t care how small—it matters to ."
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