Chapter 46

Ana locked herself in her room for days after learning the truth from Detective Paul. Her anger towards the Villalobos only intensified.

The election was approaching, and she couldn’t wait to bring down the family responsible for her parents' death. She was determined to get back what was rightfully hers.

Standing up from her bed, she pulled back the curtain and noticed that the guards outside the mansion had doubled.

She grabbed her shawl and wallet and descended from the terrace of her room because she had somewhere she needed to go. When she left the mansion, she quickly hailed a tricycle and told the driver where she wanted to go.

The tricycle driver hesitated because they needed permission from the mayor to go to the Montes' hacienda, but Ana insisted and offered to pay a large sum.

They arrived at the entrance of the hacienda de Montes, and Ana paid the driver all the cash she had before signaling for him to leave, fearing that Levi might still be watching her every move…

***

“Yes, mayor. Miss Ana has also removed the sign and cordon,” his staff on the other line replied.

“Tsk. Keep a close eye on that woman,” Levi said as he ended the call and turned to his wife.

“Ana is really testing my patience. She was quiet for a few days, but it looks like she’s starting again,” Levi said in annoyance as he took a sip of the drink Caridad poured for him.

“What if she finds out about the Montes' history? She can’t know that, and the public might find out,” Caridad said nervously.

“Tsk. She won’t find out because I will remove anyone who tries to reveal everything. I am at the peak of success, and that cannot be easily taken away,” Levi assured.

Caridad sat down on the sofa and wiped her face. “The election is approaching, and we will also hold a celebration for the upcoming election. What should we do? Mateo still doesn’t believe that we have nothing to do with Ana.”

Levi smiled and took a sip of his drink. “Ana is wealthier than us, and we will use her to ensure our victory. As for Mateo? Let him be because he won’t find out anything. Have you sent the invitation to Montecillo yet?”

Caridad nodded in agreement, still not hearing anything from Martin.

“I heard that Martin is currently in Spain for his business, and it seems like he will be back before the celebration,” Levi said. Caridad just nodded and sighed, feeling a sense of unease.

“We have a meeting tomorrow, and Ana will be there. I don’t understand why she’s so invested in the Montes,” Caridad added.

Levi remained silent, looking out the window, also puzzled by Ana’s continued return to the Montes hacienda despite strict warnings against it.

“Until now, Ignacio, you are still here.” he whispered, clenching his fist before continuing to drink.

***

ANA’S POV

As I entered the mansion, I noticed the clutter and cobwebs that had accumulated over time, indicating that it hadn’t been cleaned in a while. I also saw the remnants of the fire that occurred 28 years ago. I never imagined that this would be the only legacy of my parents' tragedy.

The traces of my mother’s grief when my father was imprisoned linger here. I wiped away my tears, feeling the pain as I stood in the middle of the mansion.

I will never forgive those who insulted and dishonored my family.

“You’re here.”

I stopped and turned around to see a person standing in front of a portrait of my parents.

“Maximiliano... No, uncle Max…”

He grinned and turned to me with his hands in his pockets. “He estado esperando que me llames así, mi sobrina. (I’ve been waiting for you to call me that, my niece.)” He opened his arms and I bit my lip, then ran to hug him.

“Uncle…” I said tearfully. He hugged me tightly and stroked my hair, causing me to cry even more because, even though I couldn’t hug my mother, it felt like I was hugging her through her brother.

“You did well,” he whispered to me. I shook my head at him and wiped away my tears.

“I’m not done yet. Ana Mystica’s revenge is not over.” I said firmly, and we both looked up at the large portrait of my parents. “I don’t know how I’ll feel when I find out everything. The suffering of my parents and my mother’s protection of me until her last breath. I can feel my anger, uncle.” I said, looking at him, but I was more surprised by his appearance.

Furthermore, I felt the coldness in the mansion because of him.

“I came here from Spain to check on the status of my sister and see if my niece has grown up well. Since my sister lost contact with our father, he became worried and asked me to visit the Montes family. However, when I arrived in San Alfonso, many things had changed. Life was no longer as prosperous as it was when brother Ignacio and Don Martinez were in charge. The whole hacienda had turned into a forest.”

I sighed because he was right, many things had indeed changed.

“I looked for Don Ignacio, thinking they might have just moved without informing us, but I met brother Ignacio’s former housekeeper, grandma Tasing.”

I paused, and we looked at each other, but he just nodded, as he also knew Tasing. That's why Tasing have a lot to say when she saw Uncle Max.

“She told me everything, all the events from 28 years ago… How Don Ignacio was unjustly imprisoned, and my sister died of sorrow and grief. But she didn’t tell me where they were buried because only Angelo knows.”

“The detective…”

He nodded at me and smirked bitterly. “I went to Manila to find him. He wasn’t easy to find because he changed his name to avoid being found by the Villalobos. Until he voluntarily met with me… He told me everything and showed me all the evidence he had against Levi. I collaborated with him to avenge my sister Stella and Don Ignacio.” He took a deep breath and shook his head. “I also heard about what happened to Don Martinez and Levi’s victory in the election back then. I thought my niece had died, but Angelo said he saved you from danger and took you to an orphanage. I didn’t look for you because you were in good hands. I’m sorry…”

I shook my head at him. I understood him because it’s difficult to keep going back and forth between the Philippines and Spain.

“Our whole family mourned when we heard about what happened to the Montes family, and my father was determined to find you. That’s why I returned to the Philippines, and when I saw you, I felt like you were my missing niece, especially since you look so much like her,” he said, smiling as he brushed my hair. “You look like her. There’s no doubt you are Anastasia Montes. Your grandfather wants to meet you.”

I blinked and averted my gaze. He was indeed a few years older than me.

“So, what are you going to do now?” he asked.

I stared at the portrait. “I will continue what I started. I will bring them down until they are all gone. I know Levi is still watching me to know my every move. I won’t let him succeed. He will pay for all his sins against our family. Blood for blood, flesh for flesh,” I said firmly, clenching my fist.

“I’m betting on you, Ana Mystica...”

***

“Lady Ana?”

I blinked and touched my head because I realized I was in a meeting.

“The election is approaching, and you might have something to say to the Mayor.”

I looked around, and my gaze stopped at Levi, who was smiling at me, so I leaned back and just stared at him blankly.

“Don’t you notice anything different about my face, Don Levi?” I asked coldly, brushing my hair aside. His eyes widened, and he shifted in his seat.

“Stella…”

Everyone was surprised when Levi mentioned the name, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“H-honey? What are you saying?” Caridad started to panic, looking back and forth between me and her husband.

“Levi, why did you do that to me? I trusted you so much.”

I smirked even more when I noticed the medicine I had put in his coffee was starting to take effect before the meeting began.

“Stella… No… You’re dead!” he shouted, holding his head. I smirked because the scene in front of his party was perfect.

“H-honey…”

“Dad?”

Caridad and Chloe seemed suddenly scared by what was happening to Don Levi. Oh, interesting…

“Ignacio is innocent, but you killed him without a fight…”

“Shut the fuck up!! Stop it!” Levi shouted again, standing up from his seat with his hands covering his ears.

I covered my mouth to stifle a laugh at Levi’s craziness. I played another recording to further drive him insane.

“And you, Caridad? How did you manage to pay your men to assault me? You have no heart! No mercy! Ignacio trusted you, but what did you do? You used the whole town just to get rid of us.”

Caridad’s eyes widened, and she looked at all of us, fear evident in her eyes. This is just the beginning, Caridad. You haven’t seen anything yet.

“Ah, Don Levi? We can finish the meeting now so you can rest,” Levi’s secretary said to prevent panic in the conference room.

“Y-yes, I guess… Nice to see you back, Miss Ana,” Caridad said as she helped Levi leave the conference room. Chloe glanced at me before following her husband’s parents.

Paris and I also stood up and left the conference room. I glanced at them through the window as they left the municipal hall. Levi looked up at me, but I just smirked at him, causing his eyes to widen before he finally got into the car.

“Levi looks guilty. I never thought they were involved with the Montes. Their family is so demonic,” Paris remarked beside me.

I had told them the truth, but Tyron wasn’t surprised because my parents had no records with the police, as Levi had them removed to keep the truth hidden.

“They are that cruel. They used our people to gain sympathy and turned them against my parents. I will never forgive them,” I said.

Paris looked at me and smiled. “You’re back indeed. So, what’s your next move?”

I smiled and crossed my arms. “To entirely ruin Mateo and Chloe’s relationship. I’ve told Martin my plan, but he didn’t agree. TSK,” I sighed because he didn’t want anything to happen between Mateo and me.

I’m all his. I just need to do that to destroy Chloe and Mateo’s relationship, and when that happens, I’ll leave Mateo without mercy.

Damn it, Martin is such a pain.