Suddenly, someone called Lawrence.
"Sorry, I'll just step out for a moment," he apologized to his companions.
Justine simply nodded while Martin remained silent. Once outside, Lawrence checked the caller ID.
Sharlene?
He frowned in surprise before quickly answering.
"Lawrence, are you busy right now?" Sharlene's voice came through, urgent and unsure.
"Why?" he asked, already sensing what she wanted.
"I was hoping to ask for your help. I have so many questions right now," she said honestly.
"I'm currently speaking with some people," he replied. "But if you're okay with it, I can go to your place after I'm done."
"Vivianne and I will just go there instead. Don't worry, we'll wait for you—if that's okay with you," she offered.
"Are you sure? You actually know the people I'm with right now."
"Huh? Who?" she asked, confused.
"If you're curious, come here. You're welcome to join our discussion."
"F—fine," Sharlene muttered.
"I'll wait for you," he said warmly.
"I'll just text you when we're close, so we don't interrupt anything," she added.
"Okay. Bye."
"Yeah."
The call ended. Lawrence sighed and walked back into the room.
"We have a visitor," he informed the two men.
They exchanged glances.
"Please be considerate to her," he reminded them gently.
"She doesn't know we're here, does she?" Justine asked.
Lawrence shook his head.
"She needs to know."
"Yes, as I said before," Martin added, "Sharlene has a connection to Leah."
Lawrence sighed. He wasn't sure how Sharlene would react upon seeing these two.
"Justine, let's be honest—she has family here," he said, turning to Justine.
"Why does she need to know?" Martin asked, sifting through the papers on the table. "Does she even think of us as family?"
"I don't know what happened between you two," Lawrence replied calmly, "but don't treat her like she comes from a broken family. You're the one who left her, right?"
"You cheated on her," he added with a shake of his head.
"Cheated?" Martin scoffed. "We never liked each other. The family we built was an illusion."
"If it was all fake, then why act like she still matters to you?" Justine challenged. "Let her go already. I'll help convince her."
"And Sheila's yours now," Justine added, bitterly. "Stop meddling in Sharlene's life—or your child's."
Martin's expression darkened.
"What are you saying? Are you insulting me, Mr. Gonzalez?" he snapped.
Lawrence felt the tension building. Again.
"You're only full of regret now that something's happened to Ashley," Justine said quietly.
"What?" Martin retorted angrily.
"Gentlemen, please." Lawrence interjected calmly. "I don't care what's going on between you two, but I won't allow you to hurt Sharlene. She's going through so much already—you have no idea how many tears she's shed."
The two men fell silent. Moments later, Lawrence's phone buzzed.
"She's here," he told them.
He stepped outside to greet Sharlene—and saw Vivianne was with her.
"Are you done? Sorry if I interrupted something important," Sharlene apologized.
"No, it's fine. Come in—we're on a short break," he reassured her.
He noticed Vivianne hesitating.
"Come in too, Vivianne," he called. "Let's go."
Inside, the two men remained silent when Sharlene entered. Lawrence saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes.
"Are they your guests?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, yes," he sighed.
Sharlene didn't flinch. She stared at them steadily.
"Please, have a seat," Lawrence said. "There are plenty of chairs."
Vivianne sat beside Sharlene, equally confused by the setup.
A heavy silence fell.
"What are you doing here, Sharlene?" Martin asked bluntly.
Lawrence grimaced. Insensitive, as always.
"Do you know Raymundo?" Sharlene asked, her tone serious.
The three men exchanged glances.
"Why do you know that name?" Lawrence asked, puzzled.
"Why wouldn't she?" Martin said. "Raymundo is her relative, isn't he?"
"Of course she knows," he continued. "Raymundo Santiago is her grandfather. Right, Sharlene?"
Sharlene met his gaze, not answering immediately.
"You already know the truth," she said calmly.
"Of course. Sharlene Ellena Santiago-Gonzalez," Martin said, holding up documents Justine had previously shown.
"So? What do you plan to do now, Sharlene?" Martin asked, as if challenging her.
Vivianne looked like she wanted to speak, but Sharlene gently stopped her. Then, she sighed and pulled a bracelet from her bag, slipping it on.
"We're going to sue Raymundo Santiago."
Martin laughed derisively. "Really? On what grounds? Do you even have evidence?"
"Why are you questioning your wife like that, Mr. Francisco?" Justine interjected. "Scared?"
"Sharlene, what do you know?" Lawrence asked gently, focusing on her.
"I—I don't know everything," Sharlene admitted. "But I know the deaths of my parents and Leah Martinez are connected to the siblings Manuel and... my mom. And my foster grandmother—she was linked to Raymundo. Even if it sounds crazy, Raymundo is part of a major syndicate."
Lawrence nodded. "What can we do?"
"Excuse me—are you the only ones here?" Martin interrupted again.
"Martin, if you really want to help your daughter," Sharlene turned to him, "you know journalists who were colleagues of your father. He was a respected figure, wasn't he?"
"You've ignored so much knowledge buried in your own family."
She took a breath. "Just be a father to your child. That's all I ask. When this is over, I'll sign the divorce papers so you can be free."
Her voice was quiet, her smile tinged with sadness as she clenched her fists.
Martin stared at her, saying nothing.
"Don't flirt in front of me," he said coldly. "You're not free yet, Sharlene. You're still my wife."
Lawrence blinked, taken aback.
Was he… struggling to let her go? Or was he refusing to let Justine finalize the divorce papers?
Has Martin started to realize her worth now?
He wasn't sure.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not like you, Mr. Francisco," Lawrence muttered, shaking his head with a sigh.