"I'm sure you know who I am," Isabella said.
The lecturer's lips quivered. Her eyes darted between Isabella, Angel, and Ricardo as though searching for mercy—and finding none.
"Look at me," Isabella commanded.
The lecturer obeyed slowly, lifting her trembling face. Tears pooled in her eyes.
"I want a hundred percent pass in your course," Isabella said calmly, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Yes," the lecturer whispered, nodding frantically.
"If you dare violate this instruction," Ricardo added coldly, stepping closer, "I will not only make you disappear—but your whole family too."
The lecturer broke down completely, nodding repeatedly, hands clutched together in silent begging.
"In case you have forgotten the name," Angel said evenly, "it is Isabella De La Cruz."
The weight of it made the lecturer's heart beat faster.
They turned and walked out without another word.
The lecturer remained frozen long after the door swung open. Tears slid down her face as her knees gave way. She sank into the chair, staring at the open doorway—knowing her life would never be the same.
As Isabella and her entourage walked through the school compound, a chilling silence followed them. Students halted mid-conversation. Some lowered their heads. Others pretended to be busy. Fear rippled through the air like an unspoken warning.
Power did not need to announce itself.
Angel opened the car door. "Where to?"
"The mansion," Isabella replied.
They dropped Ricardo at the mansion and drove straight to the hospital.
At the hospital, Isabella stepped out of the elevator, her expression unreadable. She spotted Bruce immediately.
"What the fuck are you looking for here?" Bruce snapped, storming toward her.
"I have every right to be here," Isabella said evenly.
"As Who?" Bruce shot back. "After everything my friend went through? Leave—or I call security."
Angel stepped forward instinctively, pushing Bruce back.
"Angel," Isabella said quietly.
Angel stepped aside.
"I will leave," Isabella said, locking eyes with Bruce. "But I will be back." She turned and walked away without another word.
Bruce watched her retreat, his chest tight with anger—and fear.
Across the city, Andrew Demelo sat on a filthy mattress in a run-down safehouse, neon light flickering through cracked blinds. Empty bottles surrounded him. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from rage. He poured white powder onto a book cover, lined it carefully, then leaned down and inhaled sharply.
The world spun.
He moaned, laughter bubbling from his chest as the numbness spread.
Drugs were his refuge—his poison of choice whenever reality became unbearable.
Images replayed in his mind: his father's lifeless body, the blood, the humiliation.
"Mateo De La Cruz will suffer," he growled.
But not now.
"For now, I will disappear until I figure out how to strike back.
He picked up a photograph of Isabella—taken secretly at the club. He stared at it intensely, exhaling cigarette smoke over her face.
His lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Soon," he whispered.
Back at Diego's apartment, Diego was on a call with Bruce when a violent knock shook the door.
"Open this door now! I know you're in there!"
"Let me call you back," Diego said quickly, hanging up.
The landlord burst in the moment the door opened, grabbing Diego roughly—until he noticed the wounds.
His eyes widened at the plasters, the bruises.
"What…" What happened to you?"
"I was ambushed," Diego replied quietly.
The landlord scoffed. "You see why I say thieves are stupid? Instead of robbing rich people, they attack you—who can't even pay rent."
Diego lowered his head.
"I'll give you two more weeks," the landlord said sharply. "After that, you're out."
"Thank you, sir."
"Don't thank me yet," the man snapped, pointing a finger as he left.
Diego sank into a chair, frustration crushing his chest.
"I need to snap out of this rest period," he muttered. "I need to work."
At the hospital, the doctor pulled Bruce aside.
"The money the lady paid will be exhausted in three days," he said carefully. "After that, treatment will cost six hundred dollars daily."
Bruce's face drained of color.
"I understand," he replied, though panic clawed at his gut. When he returned home and told Diego,
silence followed.
"I'll return to work tomorrow," Diego said firmly.
"You're not ready," Bruce argued.
"I don't have a choice."
The following morning, Diego forced himself out of bed. Pain stabbed through his body with every movement, but he ignored it.
At the mechanic workshop, he asked for an advance.
"Do I run a charity?" the manager barked. "You disappear for days and now want money? Get the hell out of here and go to work!" the manager yelled.
Diego left in silence.
At the supermarket, he worked tirelessly, serving customers with forced politeness. Management wasn't around. So he couldn't ask for help.
He felt too exhausted because he was still recovering. But he still went to the hospital.
Seeing his mother motionless shattered him.
He held her hand, kissing it gently. "Mom, please wake up," he whispered. "I'm here."
After days of struggling, Bruce informed Diego that he would return to his own apartment the next day.
"Thank you," Diego said quietly. "For everything."
"Anytime, brother."
Diego has been working but wasn't able to raise enough money. So he decided to go to the hospital before going to the restaurant to work and ask for an advance of his salary.
Isabella men were still keeping watch.
So they informed her that there was no visitor yet for Lucia. That was when Isabella slipped quietly into her room.
She studied Lucia's pale face and whispered:
"You gave birth to my heartbeat. He is such a disciplined, handsome, and smart young man. I will help you out of this. I promise."
Before she could leave, her phone buzzed.
"Boss, Diego's friend is going up to Diego's mother's room."
Bruce just arrived to see Lucia briefly after returning to his apartment that morning.
Isabella checked the hallway — it looked clear — and she slipped out.
As she turned away, the elevator doors dinged.
It was Bruce.
He saw only her back and didn't pay attention — it could have been anyone from any room. He entered and sat by her praying.
"That was close," Isabella whispered.
"I have to be more careful, Diego doesn't want me close to him, and I don't blame him for thinking like that. But seriously I have to talk to him.
As she walks out of the hospital, she mistakenly meets Diego, highlighting from a taxi.
His face hardened.
"You shouldn't be here."
"Neither should your mother be in danger," Isabella replied.
He froze.
"What do you mean?"
"Andrew knows about you," she said quietly. "And he's using you to hurt me."
Silence swallowed them.
"You ruined my life," Diego said bitterly. "And now you want to save it?"
"I never wanted this," Isabella said, her voice cracking despite herself. "But I won't let him take you."
"Why?" Diego asked. "Because you care—or because I'm collateral damage?"
She met his eyes. "Because I brought you into this—and I won't let it end you."
Diego laughed bitterly. "Great speech. So what's your plan?"
She explained.
"You have to transfer your Mom from this hospital because I'm sure Andrew already knows you are here. I have to tighten your security, too."
"I don't think it is safe transferring my mom in this state. Anything we have to do to keep her safe, we have to do it in this hospital."
Isabella nodded, "that is true.
Ok, why don't we put security at her door and restrict visitors. Of course, only family members are allowed. Let a particular doctor be assigned to her."
Ok, noted.
Please, after this, stay away from me and my family. One more thing, these boys you keep assigning to protect us. Who are they? I guess they were the same ones who accompanied you to rescue me the other day.
They are my father's security team.
Ok, so your Dad sent you and his security team to come rescue me?
No…not that. She panicked, with fear that Diego would discover she was lying.
That fight was a vengeance fight, not a rescue one. Only I knew I was coming to rescue you.
Whatever, thanks, but I choose to keep my mom safe, so for now, stay away.
"You need to be careful too, Diego, please."
"I can take care of myself."
Isabella sent her boys to Diego, and Diego informed the hospital, and everyone was alert.
She also instructed some of her boys to follow Diego discreetly in order to protect him.
Isabella stayed away and was only getting updates about Diego and Lucia from her boys, who were standing guard.
Mateo observed that his daughter's countenance has changed for a while now. She is rather reserved and often in doors.
He asked Angel, and he said there wasn't anything to worry about. But Mateo didn't buy that answer, so he asked Ricardo to find out.