The temperature of Beldane was still cool and it was such a good time to see the sights around. Sena pulled April to every good spot she knew, bought souvenirs for her friends back home and later booked an appointment with Nicholas to attend an acquaintance’s wedding, the Corwell family, in an old castle.

Speaking of the Corwells, they are a long-time business partner of the Erdes with reliable and trustworthy people. She came today to protect that interest and to give the new couple a special gift. 

Sometime in the middle of their shopping, April's phone dinged with a message from the group chat back at the HQ.

"Boss, Rui said Mr. Luz's secretary called the office asking for your whereabouts and they are wondering if they should tell them about it."

Sena looked at her phone and saw the urgent emoji filled chat head from the agents. She quickly typed in her message saying they should just ignore it and pretend to be busy. 

Rui: [Easy for you to say that, boss. that maniacal hound of that old man of yours is relentless!] 

Elia: [Rui is right, she even went to our individual social media accounts to send personal messages.]

Katya: [Here I was wondering who sent such a rude message to me. Turns out it's Boss's father's secretary.]

Sena: [You guys, just block her.]

Ms. Keaton is her father's personal secretary. An insufferable woman who had been half her life in the company that she began to think of herself as the owner. 

"It's rare for them to contact you." April wondered.

Sena replied blithely, "Eleven out of ten it has something to do with the problem with his recent investment." 

They left the country with the news of Bluejay Construction causing an accident in the site. After which, Sena surmised that it won't be long until the other companies they scammed over the years will rally and retaliate by slapping them with a lawsuit. 

Since Albert Luz took half of his assets to invest in the East District project, it is estimated that his company will soon be in jeopardy.

Before, aside from receiving her dividends, she had no other interest in her father’s business. It gave Maya a lot of advantage, flaunting her status as Mr Luz’s heir in front of the employees, completely disregarding her opinion and position. 

Outside, people only recognized Maya as the Luz's daughter. Whenever Sena goes into the Luz's Company, she would not even receive a basic courtesy from the staff. Of course as ordered by their good family. 

She could only shake her head sarcastically at the memory.

 

Luz Companies at the moment is not relaxed as Sena predicted. 

Albert Luz returned from the construction site with a chest full of anger the other day. He found out that the vast track of old farmland he bought from the bidding might get closed off soon because of the problem in the site. Aside from that, there is also a problem with the construction equipment and it has been going on for several weeks now and Maya neglected to tell him such an important thing! 

He felt utterly embarrassed during the golf game today after learning that the whole city already knew he might face a lawsuit except for him. He was caught off guard when business partners began laughing at him. 

Meanwhile, news of the entertainment hub had been all over the morning paper for days. The only child of socialite and business mogul Paula Erde is making steady progress from her careful baby steps in that real estate company to finally becoming a full-fledged businesswoman. 

Albert Luz became even more suffocated when he saw her partnership with Horizon Group and Aiguille Conglomerate progress so fast. At this point, no matter what Sena did, everyone's eyes will always follow her thus inadvertently pushing her at the forefront among her peers. She has perfectly integrated into society and established her own name without his help. 

Some colleagues who are privy to their family dispute gloated about the turn of events saying it was karma. The child he threw away is now shining like a priceless treasure everyone wants to covet. 

He didn't know whether to be proud or disappointed. Proud because she is his child. No matter how much she denies it, they are still bound by blood and he could not ignore the surge of pride whenever he hears of her achievements. Disappointed because she has slapped him in the face with her methods when he thought she would be just like any young cub without guidance. 

The middle-aged businessman had a lot of complex thoughts swirling in his head the whole day but had nowhere to let out because of the place. Even as he returned to the office after a tasteless golf game, Albert Luz was still in a state of bewilderment. 

Maya saw him in this posture when she cautiously peeked inside. She knew her father had been paying too much attention to Sena lately. He may not have noticed it but every time they gather for breakfast he couldn't tear his eyes away from the business newspaper. 

The picture of her half-sister in it had been a thorn in her eyes but she can only endure. Maya knew her daddy well. He only pays attention when it is worth his time, he can disregard any enmity or even unpleasantness so long as it can bring benefits to the business. Sena's progress is certainly a huge problem for her. She cannot let this go on and allow his attention to shift.  

Without making a sound, she walked slowly back into the sitting area where the rest of the guests were waiting. 

"There you are, everyone is looking for you." Mrs Luz called out sweetly when she spotted her. "Go and entertain the guest first, today, you are the star." 

The interviewer who came quietly sat and observed their interaction. Crisanta Luz patted her make up nervously and hurried to excuse herself. As soon as she exited the sitting room, her expression crashed, turning hideous. 

"That damn reporter, I just knew she wanted to humiliate me!" The words were spit out between her clenched teeth. Her enraged mutterings soon called out the attention of her husband.

"What is your problem?" Albert Luz frowned, getting up from the chair. 

His wife came in hurriedly and exploded out of nowhere. 

Angrily Crisanta Luz pointed her finger outside, "The woman sent by Rainbow Media to interview Maya today was on me! Tell me, why would she ask about my background all of a sudden?"

Just because she’s a university graduate with a higher degree, the little bitch can insult her all she wants? 

"Calm down, what do you mean to insult you?" He read the interview script a few days ago and it was clean in his opinion that is why he allowed for the press to come. 

He almost forgot that today his wife and daughter scheduled for a brief interview regarding Maya's joining in the company. 

Crisanta huffed and sneered. "Who does she think she is?"

"You were the one who insisted I allow Maya to join the entertainment industry. Now that she is gaining attention it is inevitable that her fans would turn to you. At the very least you should be ready to face these kinds of questions in the future but you’re suddenly complaining?" 

Crisanta gripped her luxury bag, "I don't think it's necessary to deliberately bring up my past. Do you want your wife to be embarrassed like this?”

"Asking you about this matter is a part of the show." Albert Luz replied impatiently. "If you keep losing your temper at every little thing like this, what would mine and Maya’s reputation become? Be careful of your image!"

Crisanta's eyes widened in disbelief. This is the first time her husband spoke harshly to her. 

"My image?" She pointed at herself. "Are you ashamed of my image?"

Albert Luz pinched the bridge of his nose, “Crisanta, if you cannot rein in your temper I think it's better for you to stay at home.”    

Crisanta hated being pointed to her sore spot. She knew she lacked many aspects, especially knowledge in business, even when socializing she kept her silence for fear of being found out. When she graduated high school her grades were below average but she wasn’t particularly worried about college to continue to burn money in education. She wanted an easy life, then she met Albert Luz. 

That time they got together behind Paula’s back; she enrolled in homemaking and etiquette classes in order to please the rich man she painstakingly won. It wasn’t until she finally lived the life of the rich that her flaws came out. 

The wealthy wives not only cared about luxury but were also vastly knowledgeable in many topics which she comes up short. Every time she sees Paula and her daughter mingling amongst the dazzling crowd, her hatred would surge thinking that they were deliberately taunting her who had low origin. 

But what can she do? It was the circle she cannot get into. 

She sat on the settee with wet eyes looking at her husband. "I know I’m not smart and sophisticated but aren't I working hard enough to help you? As expected… marrying me has become your biggest shame… unlike, unlike your first wife…"

Albert Luz looked at the glamorous middle-aged woman shedding tears in front of him. She was no longer that hapless fresh and vivacious youth he met. She now wore high-end clothing, jewelry and make-up. Through him she transformed into a swan. 

He felt softhearted for a moment but knowing that she always used this tactic to cajole him through her guilt trips, his gaze would become sharp. Men loved beauties, especially those weak helpless flowers that needed protection, it tickles their protective instinct and caresses their ego. But over time seeing the same thing without a change would also exhaust one's patience. 

 

Wedding. 

It was a spectacular event attended by many dignitaries and heads of important clans. Sena’s presence surprised and delighted many people, especially those who recently came to her mother’s death anniversary. They were glad she was finally willing to come out and  meet old friends. 

“My dear, how long will you be staying?” Lady Doukas asked. 

Sena smiled at the gorgeous old lady in a Roman style black and gold gown. “Just until mid April then I’m off to Country H to manage the business there.”

“Oh, speaking of it, congratulations are in place. I only heard praises about your superb management skills.” Lady Doukas said while gently touching her face. “I am happy for you.”

She warmly hugged her in return. 

“Now, speaking of the Corwell heir, isn’t he a friend of yours? Youngsters your age are tying the knot but I am yet to hear a sliver of love scandal from you.”

She was being teased by the older people when someone interrupted them good naturedly.

“My dears, I know your age is catching up but has anyone not seen the dashing gentleman who came with Sena? Big guy that he is, he is sure impossible to miss.” Jordan Corwell, the groom revealed. 

“A guy?”

“Really?”

“I was exchanging my vows with my sweet wife but busy as I am, I sure did not miss such a huge surprise.” Jordan continued. 

“Who’s the lucky one then?”

Jordan spread his hand helplessly and turned to the man in an impeccable dark suit talking to one of the older guests.

“That one being grilled by Pascal Rossi.” 

The guests erupted into laughter. Looks like the young man is going to have a very hard time. 

“Sena?” 

Sena stepped forward to hug Jordan briefly when she was called. 

“Good to see you.” He said charmingly. 

“Same here,”  

“My how you've grown so beautifully. No wonder Nicholas was guarding you like a hawk.”

“You exaggerate.”

“No,” he chuckled. “He’s been glaring at half of my wedding guests. Well, half of my wedding guests are young men. Can’t blame them if their eyes fall on you. In fact, I should thank you as you put less pressure on my side.”

She was puzzled.

“They finally stopped ogling my wife!”

Sena laughingly shook her head at him. 

“Come, let me introduce you to my Eunice.” With great flourish, he pulled her to where the bride was looking prim and exquisite in her pearl encrusted wedding gown.

“You are absolutely gorgeous.” She beamed. “I have seen your concerts in Berlin and Venice, both breathtakingly beautiful—”

“Oh, thank you.”

“How did this miserable peacock manage to coax you home?”

Eunice covered her mouth to stifle her laughter. “You think so too? Jordan is a peacock?”

“Because he is. Minus the beautiful tail.”

“I had the very same impression when I saw him in college. Oh my God!”

The girls met each other for the first time but not even half a minute they began badmouthing Jordan in wild abandon. The sad groom could only wince and shrink his neck hearing them digging into his black history. 

Not far from them, a lady in a peach fishtail gown gazed at their interaction with a bland smile. Moments later, she received a text and left the place quietly.

The banquet after the wedding was excellent and filled with well-wishers, however, the highlight of the show is yet to start. Sena signaled for April to come and bring the manila envelope which contained her surprise.

“You and your wife should read it as soon as possible. Just the two of you.” She whispered before giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

The urgency in her tone alarmed Jordan. As everyone knows, Sena was not the kind to go out of character even when the ceiling drops, if the thing inside the envelope is capable of letting her make that face then it must be something that can affect a lot of people. As instructed, he pulled Eunice to a private room to open the envelope, and what was detailed inside shocked him to his core.

After several silent moments he turned to his wife with a helpless sigh, "Sweetie, looks like the honeymoon is cancelled."