The Ball battle

It was late afternoon at the elegant Azalea estate when a sleek black sedan glided to a halt in front of its grand doors. With swift efficiency, the vigilant guards sprang into action, opening the car door to reveal an impeccably dressed lady who proceeded inside with purpose. The mansion's maids eagerly gathered to greet her as she made her way through the opulent halls.

"Where can I find Caracal?" inquired the lady with authority.

"He is currently in the kitchen, engrossed in his culinary endeavors," one of the maids promptly responded.

The lady entered the bustling kitchen and immediately spotted Karl diligently chopping an array of vibrant vegetables. His surprise was evident as he interrupted his task to address her presence.

"Karl, when did you arrive? It has been months...perhaps even two years since we last spoke or connected." Riho asked.

Karl audibly gasped for air as he locked eyes with his wife. "I had pledged to keep my distance so that no further harm would befall anyone," he whispered somberly.

"But it pains me more than anyone else," Riho replied, assisting her husband with the task of chopping vegetables.

"I didn't abandon you, you understand that," Karl reasoned.

"But why are you giving Takako more attention than me?" Riho inquired.

"Oh, haven't you been following the recent news?" Karl asked. "Our daughter and her son are exclusively dating; they're in a serious relationship."

"I am aware," Riho responded, looking into her husband's eyes.

"Enough with the theatrics," said Karl, handing his wife a bowl of soup. "It's time for dinner; we need to eat."

"But I still haven't received an answer to my question,"Riho insisted while holding onto her husband's hand.

"I understand your doubts about my love and care for you. However, there were reasons why I chose to marry you over others. Arisa possessed a sweetness that appealed to me, Riko and I maintained a truce and provided protection for our children's sake, while Emi and I enjoyed a friendship based on cooperation. What attracted me to you was the fact that you possess all these qualities in addition to caring for me more than anyone else ever could have. My hope was to retire from my presidency and spend the rest of my days with you. Unfortunately, it seems unlikely now as circumstances change. Deep down, I always knew that I would not live past fifty-five; however, if given another chance at life alongside the woman whom holds my heart - it will always be you. Please remain strong amidst any challenges that come your way – both personally and for our family's wellbeing. Know that I shall never abandon or leave your side- wherever "here" may be." Karl consoled Riho gently while wiping away her tears.

"Is that true or are you saying your final goodbyes to me?" Riho curiously asked

"My goodness," an irritated Karl murmured, "Just eat dinner and then we will go to bed, I wanna go to sleep"

-----

As the clock struck seven in the evening, a luxury car pulled up to the grand edifice of Parkview hotel. The Marinos- an esteemed family clad with a rich heritage and potent personalities had arrived for their partaking in an illustrious event set inside its opulent ballroom.

Leading them was Arianna, attired elegantly in black, making her way through clusters of well-dressed societal elites gathered around. With every step she took into this seemingly otherworldly arrangement sparking off resplendent gleams off chandeliers above and murmurs below.

Yet underneath her sharp exterior lay veiled distress as she muttered discontents under her breath," Why must I endure such ordeals? I've passed on my title as head of our prestigious clan to Nozomi; why then am I thrust upon these unwelcome responsibilities?"

Rafael's reply carried within it equal measures sarcasm directed towards his elder sister which invited him an annoyed glance from Arianna while saying "You seem quick enough to forget that age matters ."

The statement held true yet presented challenges unforeseen by others not sharing similar circumstances like hers.

"I may be chronologically eldest but neither did we three siblings share experiences nor form bonds growing up! And Oh dear lord! Who chose these ghastly gowns"

"Look Auntie, over there!" Ryoma implored as he stretched his arm towards their guests in an attempt to bring them into sharper focus.

"Could it possibly be Jaguar?" Rafael nervously asked under his breath. He wiped the cold sweat that had suddenly formed on his brow, using a gruff voice to disguise the fear creeping up inside him.

Amidst all of this arose a soft female voice. Calm and confident she advised: "If I were you guys right now, I'd try hard-pressed to do my best impression of remaining calm." Arianna quickly shot back with a slight gasp after registering who was speaking out loud enough for everyone else to hear :

"Too easy for you Nozomi", her tone spiced with sarcasm bordering irritation, "We are not at all like you." She seemed too distressed by the evoked difference between herself and Nozomi's composed exterior demeanor during such stressful situations.

Upon arriving at the grand party, Nozomi/Jiena was already there waiting to receive them. Draped elegantly in a luxurious pink gown, she stood as the stalwart leader of the Marino siblings. As they moved further into the exuberant event space with her guidance, their presence immediately prompted conversation within guests.

"Delighted to see you making an appearance tonight Senator Marino," one prominent figure greeted amidst a wave of chatter and music. Nozomi warmly reciprocated his gesture saying "Likewise Jaguar—the charm here is quite endearing—a sense déjà vu if I may say so."

As it happens often during these social events where stories unfold over glasses clinking; Jaguar mentioned that this impressive property once belonged to Fernando Escobar before coming under his ownership--unimposingly shifting attention towards introducing others around him in similar gilded circles who were looking forward eagerly for introductions.

Meanwhile on entering deeper into what seemed like glitters galore now — Rafael couldn't help but delicately clutch Eugene's arms and murmur subcutaneously: "Father's caution about such splendid fronts wasn't misplaced after all—yes—it does indeed resonate much symmetry with venturing fearlessly into Lion's den."

Nozomi, Arianna, and Rafael were subtly sizing everyone up while they exchanged pleasantries - trying to figure out who might be behind the assassination attempt on their dad. Meanwhile, Ryoma and Rio were naming names off in the corner; folks like warlords or kingpins that had a bone to pick with them.

"Ever heard of Emilio Zenari- big time hustler in digital scams?" murmured Rio "Your granddad nearly took him down once."

"And then there's Maxie Bougs along with Pixie," chimed in Ryoma. "Old man managed to mess up their illegal operations pretty bad".

"Oh yeah! And Jaguar. The guy was virtually a gambling magnate." continued Rio. "Grandpa made life really hard for him."

"Grandpa's antics are too much," Ryoma sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Things weren't so bad when Grandma Riko was still here."

"Don't even start," Jiena scolded her nephew, flicking him on the forehead. "It was way crazier with both of them."

"What do you mean?" queried Ryoma.

"You're better off not knowing," Rafael chimed in from the snack bar mish-mash.

As the party carried on, a call jiggled life into Rafael's phone and he swiftly ducked outside to take it – it was Rina buzzing through.

"What's up sis?" He asked

"Onii-chan, I've located Kanna and Monica." came Rina's voice.

At that point, Rafael could feel his heart speed-racing as he gripped his phone tighter; just where did she find them?↵"They're holed up somewhere in that mansion," answered Rina rather cryptically "I'll text you their exact whereabouts soon."

--------------------

Clutching his mobile, Rafael eyed the GPS marker and started towards the rundown stables. With caution, he eased open its doors and crept along the path inside armed with his trusty pistol - a precaution against unseen threats. Suddenly, there was an unexpected noise from one of the stalls which instantly had him on edge - investigating it found Marie, Kanna and Kara all bound together.

"Oh man," sighed Rafael under his breath while reaching for his knife to set free each woman beginning with Kanna first as she seemed less conscious than others.

He gently prodded her cheeks to rouse her saying softly "Kanna...it's me, Rafa."

Her response? A fluttering opening of eyes that welled up at recognizing Raphael who once held a special place in their life.

"Rafael..."She sobbed out tenderly touching upon his cheek lovingly.

"Come on now," chided Raphael brushing away tears gently ,"This ain't a crying time ... You alright enough to stand?"

Kanna gave an affirmative shake of her head, then crept off to rouse Marie and Kara. Meanwhile, Rafael took a look around for any armed baddies in the vicinity. He gently hefted Monica's unconscious body while Kanna helped a groggy Kara towards the exit.

They'd nearly made it successfully to their vehicle in the parking lot when suddenly, kaboom! A gunshot forced them on high alert.

"Rafael Marino," came calling from behind by an unmistakable feminine voice. "What direction do you reckon you're heading?"

Marika mustered enough nerve to reply with his name out loud even though he knew too well who said those words: Marika Marino."

"You sure as hell remember your auntie!" she replied mockingly while clapping nonchalantly.

"Spare me that crap about family; no relative I know would be this savage."

"Well, looks like you've cut ties with your dad," Marika scoffed. "Any idea how many folks he offed?"

"Still not as shady as you're playing it," Rafael shot back, relieved to see Arianna, Nozomi, Ryoma and Rio roll up.

"Oh look who showed up!" taunted Marika

"I should have taken you out when I had the chance" was all Arianna said in return. "But darling, here I am - alive and kicking!" grinning wickedly at both her reply and their fear-filled faces she lunges forward for an attack on the siblings before they could blink.. Thankfully though it seems luck's still shining down on them cause Arriana , Nozomi managed a narrow dodge along with Raphael but then go ahead headfirst into fighting Copious amounts of Marikas men without batting an eye!

Even though they had all the guts in the world, Marika's goons mopped the floor with Arianna and Nozomi. They were panting heavily while they struggled to stay on their feet, while Ryoma and Rio tried their best to keep away from them.

"I'm worn out Rafael," Arianna managed between short breaths after decking one of Marika's crew again before toppling over once more.

"Sis..." answered a whispered response from Rafael just as he too went down for count but not without his gaze fixed fiercely at Kanna, Monica and Kara who'd passed out cold by now.

"Checkmate!" gloated Marika confidently looking towards Raphael pointing a gun right at him saying . "This must flip your dad's lid."

But something interrupted her victory lap; gunfire broke loose causing everyone instinctively ducked taking cover behind anything solid within reach. Based on what we surmise was happening; Miss turncoat herself and hers men wound up circled by two dozen fighters wielding some serious firearms!

"Who are you?" Marika quizzed.

"That's none of your business," the lead rescuer shot back, motioning his crew to haul the Marino siblings plus Kanna and her kids into their van. Just before they peeled out, he lobbed a grenade towards Marika's cronies wiping out seven on the spot while blasting bullets at them simultaneously.

Eugene was nearby catching all this chaos unfold. He yanked out his phone and punched in Karl Marino's digits. "Hey Uncle, Rafael and co happened upon Marika and her goons," Eugene filled him in, "Then another gang swept them up us quick as lighting."

"Weird stuff," came Karl's puzzled reply from across the wire. "Head over to my house—we need to talk about that."

---------------

The clock struck midnight, resonating throughout the grandeur of Marino Mansion as Eugene made his hurried entrance. His heavy boots echoed off the Victorian panelled hallway causing a symphony of urgency that caught everyone's attention in the designated study room. Karl, Arjan, Riho and Rina were convened there eagerly anticipating Eugene's return.

Arjan was quick to notice his entrance; instantly rising from his chair in concern. "Are you alright?" he questioned anxiously; lightly patting Eugene on his weary shoulders while managing to present him with comfort - a glass full of rich amber whiskey.

Eugene drank in both worry and assurance simultaneously as he replied gravely "No... I saw them being apprehended by some group... we're talking about twenty odd people." The confession stuck like an ice-pick into their hearts but more horrific news was yet on its way: "..and they took my daughter…my little girl has been abducted."

A stunned silence filled room only interrupted eventually by Rina's soft voice which asked pointedly: "Did you manage then to identify anyone among them? Any face or detail that might provide us with an actionable lead?"

"I do," said Eugene resolutely reaching out for something inside pocket –located personal library filed only under urgent

"Do you recognize them?" Karl's gaze shifted towards Arjan, the weight of the phone settling into his best friend's hand. "That man over there," Arjan said while squinting slightly at a photograph on his desk, "he is one of Henry Chua's trusted operatives." His words hung in the air as an uneasy silence crept across the room.

"Henry Chua? Am I hearing that right?" Eugene finally broke it - curiosity laced with confusion evident in his voice. He furrowed his brows and adjusted himself to lean closer toward both men adding further material evidence to their discussion. "Isn't he... isn't he behind Luna Group?"

"You're not wrong," confirmed Karl nodding slowly; recognition sparking within him like kindling for dry wood but instead of igniting warmth or comfort, sparked panic and fear inside him—for amidst such dangerous stakes rested what was most important yet vulnerable—his children!

Still grappling with this newfound revelation, shared by someone who had seen through these complex webs spun around mysterious faces until they reach familiar ones from infamous circles—he muttered almost chokedly—"But Why would someone high-profile like....why would they be involved in abducting my kids!" The chilling question echoed starkly against their tense silence painting terror.

Riho, still appearing quite bewildered by the banter unfolding between Karl and Arjan, made her way across the room to her husband's side.

"What possible connection does this situation have with Henry Chua's wife?" The question tiptoed off Riho's lips as she searched Karl's face for an answer. Karl shrugged nonchalantly in response, a flippant remark ready on his tongue.

"Your guess is as good as anyone else's," he said slightly dismissively yet tinged with curiosity at their line of questioning. His baffled tone verging on irritation indicated that he had minimal knowledge about what they were talking about – or so it seemed.

"Father," retorted Rina sharply from where she stood near them both, breaking into their exchange like a decisive hammer blow onto glass. "We know very well when you're trying to skulk away behind your secrets." She glared accusingly - piercing scowl directed entirely at him hammered home how much depth this unfamiliar territory held within its bounds.

"I don't deny there are layers I need to peel back and decipher before everything can be laid bare," responded Karl defensively; his voice filled with regret but stubborn resolve all too visible underneath those carefully chosen words.

"Come on, surely it won't hurt to disclose who Arra Santiaguel-Chua really is!" Arjan exclaimed emphatically, raising the intensity of his tone. The sudden surge in volume caught Karl off guard and for that moment he could only blink back at his most trusted companion.

"I'll address this issue when I finally get a chance to see her up close," Karl countered resolutely with enough force matching Arjan's earlier protest. His reply hinted that he knew more about the mysterious woman linked with them than what had been shared till now. "I'm acutely aware of where those people reside so my plan is straightforward." There was no hint of hesitation as Karl declared bravely, "I will make a personal visit there soonest and reveal all unknown details root level—right onto Mrs. Chua's face while also ensuring every single one of our kids gets exposure to these hidden truths first-hand."

From that particular moment onwards, a significant change was noted in Karl's behavior. This noticeable shift piqued increased curiosity within Riho and Rina - an escalating intrigue generated through his enigmatic actions. They found themselves teetering on the brink of uncertainty, their anticipation building as they anxiously awaited for him to unveil this mysterious truth he'd been so carefully guarding. As days slipped into nights and still no revelation came forth from Karl, tension paired with expectation hung heavily in the air between them all like a dense fog refusing to lift. It seemed clear that whatever concealed knowledge existed anchored itself deeply within Karl; thus restlessly evoking further questions among Riho and Rina who were growing more yearning with each passing day for answers only he could provide..

 ---Chapter end---