Chapter 24

“Ana…”

I turned around and blinked my eyes as I looked around, remembering that we were actually in the town hall. I instinctively touched my head and raised my hand as a sign that I was okay.

“F–ck! Your hands are bleeding!”

I looked at my hand and Martin was right, my hand was bleeding because I had accidentally broken the glass in front of me. I stood up and grabbed my bag.

“I’m fine, Martin. I need to use the restroom,” I replied as I walked out, but I stopped at Levy’s question.

“Why do you want to reopen the case? Is there foul play involved in what happened?”

My face darkened, and my jaw tightened at his foolish question. I glanced at them blankly but didn’t answer and left the conference room. I went straight to the bathroom and locked the door.

Furthermore, I held on to the sink while the blood continued to drip from my hand. I took a few deep breaths before looking in the mirror. I wiped my blood on the mirror, and I could clearly see my reflection, and then I remembered what I looked like after the accident.

“No matter what you do, I will expose your secrets. Let’s see who comes out on top in the end,” I tightened my grip on the sink before washing my hands. I just stared at the flowing water as the blood dripped. “I can’t keep quiet about this,” I whispered, and then grabbed a tissue to wipe my hands.

Thereafter, I fixed myself, and then I went out of the bathroom to return to the conference room. When I returned to the conference room, I regained my energy, so they wouldn’t suspect me.

“Have you considered reopening Ana Bernardino’s case?” I asked them while smiling. They looked at each other and then looked at my hand wrapped in a handkerchief. I raised my hand. “I’m fine,” I grinned and went back to sit next to Martin.

“Hey, are you okay?” Martin whispered. I nodded and ignored him because I was itching to start my plan to disturb the Villalobos.

I will bring back their nightmares from the past.

“Ah, Lady Ana… Thank you for your support, but won’t your case be a hindrance if it’s reopened? The case is closed.”

I glanced at the man next to Levy and his eyes widened when he saw how I was looking at him, so he looked away. I grinned and leaned back in my seat.

“That’s why I’m going to reopen the case tomorrow because according to the investigation I did before I came back to the Philippines, foul play was involved,” I said, looking at Caridad and Chloe. “My car had no brakes.” I added. I glanced at Mateo, who was just staring blankly, but I knew he was hearing what I was saying.

“But it was an accident, wasn’t it? So how did it become a foul play?” President Desilva asked. I turned to him and noticed that he wanted to save himself from the trouble that would arise if my case was reopened. I grinned and looked at him.

“Are you listening?” I asked. He fell silent. “I’m reopening the case because foul play did happen. What’s going on in your f–cking brain?” His eyes widened, and he bowed his head, knowing that he had been embarrassed in front of everyone.

You can’t save yourself because I will use you against Levy.

Wait… Hmm… I smiled and noticed that they were nervous to talking to me because it seemed like they knew that just one wrong word from them and I will embarrass them. This is interesting…

“Pft. You don’t know how to calm down,” Martin whispered with a laugh. I just elbowed him to make him quiet. “Damn!”

I ignored Martin’s complaint because I might end up kicking him out of the conference room. TSK.

Watch me, Martin. I’m a good student.

“Why do you need to reopen your case? It was just an accident!” Chloe interjected. I stopped and grinned as I looked at her.

“Was it really just an accident? Or did someone just want to kill me?” I asked as I stared into her eyes. She looked away and seemed uneasy in her seat. “I remember not having any enemies except for the Villalobos family,” I said with a grin. Their eyes widened, and they looked at Levy’s family.

“And of course, my ex-husband’s parents, Don Levy and Lady Caridad, wouldn’t be able to do that, right?”

Levy coughed and Caridad avoided eye contact, unable to come up with a reason they could tell me.

“Ana!” Chloe shouted, and I raised an eyebrow when I saw how angry she was. “Respect Don Levy and Lady Caridad! Don’t make up any stories!” she turned to her in-laws. “Don’t listen to her nonsense—” she stopped speaking when Don Levy looked up and stared directly in my direction.

“I agree to reopen the investigation into your case. I will tell the police to reopen the case from 5 years ago,” Levy said seriously. I grinned even more because I knew he would agree to my request.

Because I also knew he had a plan. TSS. Tss. Tss. I am smarter compared to their mayor.

“Dad!”

“Honey.”

He glared at his wife and his daughter-in-law, so they fell silent and just looked down.

“There’s nothing wrong if Lady Ana opens her case,” he said and looked back at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of opening your case.” He smiled, but I knew his smile was fake. He just didn’t want to show that he also didn’t agree with my decision.

I nodded, as did his party members, in agreement with what I wanted. Levy himself made the decision, so they had no choice but to agree.

I smiled and stood up. “Then, end of discussion. We’re leaving because we still have a lot of work to do,” I said as I grabbed my bag and walked out of the conference room. Martin followed me.

“Are you sure about your decision? This is your real battle now,” Martin said as we walked down the stairs.

“Of course. This is where I’ll find out Levy’s true intentions. I know he’ll try to block all the evidence and information about my case because I also know he has the police of San Alfonso in his pocket,” I clenched my fist. “I won’t let all my hard work go to waste. This is where I’ll find the answers to my questions,” I said as I looked at him and he nodded.

“Be careful. I won’t be around in the following days because I need to finish a report in Spain. I will entrust the mansion to you.” I nodded, and he helped me down the last step of the stairs, but before we could leave the town, someone called my name.

We stopped, but I let Martin go ahead to the car.

“Are you sure?” he asked. I just nodded and smiled at Martin.

“I’ll take care of her.” I squeezed Martin’s arm before pushing him out of the municipal hall. “Just wait for me in the car.”

I waved and turned to the person who called my name.

“Chloe.”

She angrily walked towards me and slapped me so hard that my head almost turned.

“You flirt! You’re flirting with Mateo! Did you also send the video?!” she shouted, drawing the attention of the municipal hall employees.

I touched my cheek and looked at her. “Is that how you treat the sponsor of Villalobos?” I asked emotionlessly, holding my jaw.

“You’re not special! You’re not relevant! My family is richer than yours! Stay away from Mateo, especially from our family!” she angrily shouted. I just smirked and ran my hand through my hair.

“I don’t understand why you’re so angry with me. I haven't done anything to you, but you're already so mad,” I said. She was about to slap me when I grabbed her wrist. “One more touch of your hand on my cheek… I won't hesitate to slap you,” I tightened my grip on her wrist, causing her to wince, and tried to pull her wrist back, but my grip only tightened further.

“This isn’t even my main course yet, Chloe. You have a lot more to experience before we reach the climax,” I said as I let go of her wrist. “Remember this, Mateo still loves me, and he’s willing to leave you just to be with me again…” I grinned and leaned in to whisper to her, “Poor you.” and I stepped back a little, but she pushed me and I noticed Mateo approaching, so I pretended to slip and sat on the floor.

I touched my cheek and bowed my head. Acting time. “W-what did I do to you?” I asked. “I didn’t do anything to you. S-stop it!”

And 1… 2… 3—

“Ana!”

I peeked at Mateo approaching me, and he helped me stand up, but I pretended to cling to him.

“M-Mateo…” I whispered, but I winced because I really didn’t want him to touch me. Damn.

“What are you doing, Chloe?!” he angrily asked. I looked at Chloe, whose eyes were wide, and I could see her seething. I grinned at her and hugged Mateo even more to annoy him.

“I-I’m not doing anything! I didn’t push hard!”

“Let’s talk later.”

Mateo looked at me and helped me stand up, but I stopped him from holding me again.

“I’m leaving,” I said as I walked away, but I passed by Chloe. “Next time, don’t pick a fight with me,” I whispered to her and grinned before leaving the town hall.

I waved to Martin and ran towards the car, and he opened the door for me. I got in and looked out the window, noticing that

Mateo and Chloe were arguing. I just laughed and shook my head.

“You’re so pleased with what you did,” Martin said.

I just grinned at Martin and didn’t say anything else. This isn’t the day for you two to argue. You’ll go crazy in the upcoming scenes that will happen.

I looked at the clock in my room and poured myself another glass of wine while waiting for her. I could still hear the ticking of the clock.

“Lady Ana.”

I smiled as I sipped from my wineglass. “You’re late…” I said. She bowed in front of me.

“There were plenty of guards and I couldn’t find a way to get to your room.” she replied. I looked up at her and smiled.

“I have a task for you, and I know you won’t disappoint me.” I said as I placed my wineglass on the table and crossed my legs. “I want you to work as a maid for the Villalobos. And it’s up to you how you’ll deceive them, especially Chloe and Caridad. I want to see their reaction when they realize they’re being deceived.” I added. Furthermore, I took my bag and also took an envelope for her first payment.

“Advance payment, and when you do what I want. That’s not the only thing you’ll get.” I handed her the envelope and she confidently took it from me. “You’ll

report to me all their activities, especially Levy. I can count on you, right?”

She bowed and knelt in front of me. She took my hand and kissed it.

“For you, Lady Ana, I will do it.”

I smiled and gestured for her to leave. She nodded and passed through the terrace of my room. Martin couldn’t find out that I had someone else do what I wanted.

I picked up my glass again and looked at the whiteboard where their pictures were pinned. I was unable to wait for them to fall.

THIRD POV

After Ana and Martin left, Mateo and Chloe continued to argue because of the scene that had just happened.

“What was that, Chloe? Huh?” Mateo asked angrily. Chloe didn't answer but kept her fists clenched.

“Why did you hurt my wife? You have no right to hurt her!”

Chloe stopped and looked up at Mateo and scoffed.

“I am your wife, Mateo, not her!” she shouted. “She’s playing us! Can’t you see that she’s just making a fool out of you? She’s not the Ana you know anymore!” She pushed Mateo hard out of anger. She always looks bad according to her husband.

“Shut your fucking mouth!” Mateo shouted and raised his hand to slap Chloe, but someone shouted his name.

“Mateo!”

Caridad immediately approached Chloe who was crying and then faced her son. “You can’t hurt your wife! Aren’t you ashamed in front of all these people! I didn’t raise you like that, Mateo!” Caridad angrily said, and she embraced Chloe because they were already being looked at by the people.

“Everyone, come into my office!”

They all stopped when they noticed Levy was not happy with their actions, so they all went into the mayor’s office.

“What’s happening? Why are you shouting outside? You are embarrassing me!” he turned to Mateo. “Why are you hurting your wife? Chloe is your wife, Mateo! You shouldn’t be hurting her!” he shouted and slumped into the swivel chair because his headache was getting worse.

“She’s not my wife! I only married her because you forced me to! Ana is my wife!” Mateo shouted angrily. They all stopped and looked at Mateo.

“And what about what Ana said about the accident, 5 years ago? Why didn’t I know that there was a case about what happened to her?” he asked and looked at his parents. “There was an investigation too? Without my consent? You didn’t tell me what you did about the case! I am her husband, so I am entitled to know about my wife’s case!” he clenched his fist because he never knew what his parents did about the accident back then.

“Mateo, please!”

He scoffs while shaking his head. “Just make sure you had nothing to do with what happened to Ana because I will be the one to fight you.” he threatened his parents and glared at them before leaving the municipal hall.

They were quiet because they were afraid that if their son found out the truth, he might turn his back on them.