But Maria didn’t stop walking. The silence unsettled her, but sothing kept pushing her forward—curiosity, pride, maybe even fear. Her heels echoed against the polished tiles as she climbed the short steps to the front door of the mansion.
At that mont She raised her hand, ready to knock—when the door creaked open on its own.
And there she was, Raymond’s mother the sa old lady they ca with him that day.
Maria’s hand froze mid-air, her eyes widening as they landed on the woman standing before her.
It wasn’t the sa woman she rembered seeing that day in public—the one dressed plainly, head bowed, quiet, and seemingly out of place.
This woman? She stood tall. Graceful. Proud.
Her silver-streaked hair was neatly styled, her dress elegant, her makeup subtle but perfect. The soft gold jewelry around her neck shimred, not loud—but rich. Effortlessly rich.
Seeing all of that Maria blinked, mouth slightly open. Her thoughts stuttered. She looks like royalty.
She had no words. Just shock. Pure, sharp shock.
Imdiately Raymond’s mother narrowed her eyes slightly. Her voice ca calm, but firm.
"What are you doing here?"
Imdiately Maria tried to answer, but her voice caught. The confidence she brought with her faded too quickly.
Raymond’s mother tilted her head slightly. "I asked you a question. Who invited you to this place, by the way?"
Maria hesitated, then slowly drew in a breath, forcing herself to speak.
Maria stood at the doorway, her chest rising and falling quickly. Her voice ca out sharp, impatient, and laced with frustration.
"I’m here to give you people a final warning," she said, folding her arms tightly. "The family has decided. We’re no longer moving ahead with the marriage."
She took a step forward, still standing outside but close enough to let her voice carry.
"Tell Valentina to pack her things and co back ho imdiately. This nonsense—this madness—ends today."
However Raymond’s mother stood there calmly, unmoved, as Maria continued ranting.
"We’ve tolerated enough. She’s our daughter, not yours. All this disgrace must stop. We’re not going to watch her ruin everything for us anymore. She must return ho. Everything between your son and her is over. Over!"
Her voice rose with each word, as if repeating it would sohow make it real.
Raymond’s mother raised a single brow. Her voice didn’t match Maria’s energy—it was calm, sharp, and asured.
"Are you sure you ca here because of Valentina?"
Imdiately Maria blinked. "What?"
"I’m asking," Raymond’s mother said, folding her arms now, her eyes narrowing. "Did you co here because of Valentina—or did you co here because of your own selfish fears?"
Maria paused. Her words suddenly slowed.
But then she cleared her throat and snapped, "Of course, I ca here for Valentina. That’s why I’m here—to give the warning. So that you’ll stay out of this. You better tell that good-for-nothing bastard son of yours to stay away from us, with don’t want to see him anymo–."
Maria barely finished the word "anymore" before a sharp, thunderous slap landed across her face.
"Pah!"
Her head jerked sideways. The force bent her cheek so far, it felt like her jaw had co loose. Her eyes widened in disbelief, a loud gasp stuck in her throat.
Before she could even recover—
"Pah!"
Another one. Harder. Faster.
This ti, her feet gave out beneath her and she hit the floor with a loud thud, her bag falling beside her.
By the ti she looked up, Raymond’s mother was already standing over her, eyes burning with fury that sent chills through Maria’s spine.
She couldn’t believe an old lady would have the strength to hit her this hard, and walked so fast.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but every word was like a knife to the throat.
"If you ever open your filthy mouth to insult my son again..." she said, pausing as she bent down slightly, her finger pointing at Maria’s trembling face, "...I swear on everything I have, I will kill you."
At that mont Maria’s mouth hung open in shock. She wasn’t expecting to see this side of the woman before.
"This is your last warning," Raymond’s mother growled. "You can insult , call nas—I won’t flinch. But the mont your tongue touches my son’s na again in disrespect, that mouth of yours won’t open again."
Imdiately Maria’s chest was rising and falling quickly, fear spreading through her bones. The burning sting on her cheeks was nothing compared to the fire in the woman’s eyes.
Without thinking twice, Maria scrambled to her feet and bolted out of the mansion.
As she rushed past the open gate, one heel nearly ca off, but she didn’t stop. Her cheeks throbbed like they were set on fire, and her chest boiled with anger and humiliation.
With her cheek burning and her heart racing, Maria stord out of the mansion, fury bubbling in every step she took. The humiliation, the pain, the stinging echo of those slaps—it was too much.
She clutched the side of her face, her fingers shaking from rage.
"I can’t take this anymore," she hissed, walking faster.
"I can’t. Valentina just needs to die. She needs to disappear."
Her voice cracked with hatred as she pulled out her phone, ready to make a call.
Her hand hovered over the screen, but just then, a movent near the corner of the mansion caught her eye.
Raymond’s mother again, Imdiately Maria’s breath caught. Panic flooded her all over again. Without a second thought, she shoved the phone into her bag and ran.
When she reached ho, she slamd the door behind her, breathing heavily. Her hair was ssy, her heels were dusty, and her heart was still pounding.
Even though she drove here, but she was so tired.
As she walked into the living room, she paused.
Valentina’s father was there, sitting calmly, eyes fixed on the television. He didn’t even glance at her.
"I swear you won’t believe what happened to today," she said,her voice sharp, hand still on her cheek.
But he didn’t respond. Didn’t even blink.
Maria walked over slowly, still fuming, but sothing about his stillness stopped her. She turned to the television, ready to complain—but then froze.
Imdiately her eyes widened, She blinked once. Then again.
There, on the screen, written in bold red letters:
[BREAKING NEWS—
CHAIRMAN OF BLACK BEAR GANG AND ALL HIS N FOUND DEAD INSIDE HIS MANSION.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE KILLING WAS DONE BY A WILD ANIMAL.]
Imdiately Maria’s mouth fell open.
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