DAMNED

Chapter 6: Threads of Conspiracy

Rose sat across from Attorney Delgado in his office, her voice low but urgent. She slid the folder toward him.

Rose was steady but shaken “These men… Eugenio’s men. Last night, they tried to take a student. And I recognized one of them. He isn’t just some hired hand — he’s Cardinal’s aide. I’ve seen him countless times, standing at his side, handling his affairs.”

Delgado’s brows furrowed as he scanned the notes.

Delgado grimly: “This isn’t just obsession. It’s conspiracy. If his aide is involved, then Eugenio isn’t hiding behind layers anymore — he’s directly orchestrating surveillance, intimidation, and now abduction.”

Rose’s hands trembled, but her voice sharpened.

“That’s why we need to expose him. But carefully. His influence runs deep. He has allies in government, in business, even in law enforcement. If we move recklessly, he’ll crush us before we can speak.”

Delgado leaned back, his tone measured but tense.“We’ll start by tracing the men. If we can connect them to Eugenio, especially his aide, we’ll have leverage. That link is the key.”

Rose leaned forward, her voice breaking“You don’t understand — I know this aide personally. He’s loyal to Eugenio, almost fanatically. If he’s part of this, then Eugenio’s intentions are deliberate. He isn’t just trying to scare the student… he wants her under his control.”

Delgado’s eyes narrowed.

Delgado said firmly, “Then the question becomes: why her? What does Cardinal gain from targeting a student? Reputation risk, exposure, scandal — it doesn’t add up unless she represents something bigger.”

Rose answered, whispering, “That’s what terrifies me. Is she leverage? A pawn? Or is this personal obsession disguised as power?”

Delgado tapped the folder, his voice grave.

“Whatever the reason, it proves intent. He’s not just silencing critics — he’s expanding his reach into lives that should be untouchable. If we can show that, we’ll have the grounds to dismantle his façade.”

Rose responded, a voice trembling but resolute. “He already warned me. If I defy him again, he’ll bury me. If he’s willing to abduct a student, then killing me would be nothing to him.”

Delgado’s jaw tightened, his tone resolute.

“Then we move fast. We’ll gather witnesses, trace his aide, and secure evidence before Eugenio realizes we’re onto him. Hesitation will cost us everything.”

Rose nodded, her fear mixing with determination.“We can’t let him win. Not this time.”

Delgado closed the folder, his voice steady but urgent.

“Then it begins now. We’ll start with the aide you recognized. If we can tie him to Eugenio, we’ll unravel the rest of the web.”

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Robina sat with her friends in Joshua’s living room, her body still trembling from the ambush. The van, the masked men, the hands pulling her — it replayed in her mind like a nightmare.

Robina whispering, voice breaking, “They tried to take me. This isn’t random. Someone wants me.”

Her friends exchanged uneasy glances. Amanda clutched Alice’s hand, tears streaking her face.

Cris muttered, “This is bigger than us.”

Robina's eyes hardened as she responded, “But we can’t report it yet to the police. We need to document everything. We stay together and survive.”

Raell’s knuckles were raw, his lip split, but his resolve burned stronger than ever. He had fought them off, but barely.

He said firmly, “They weren’t street thugs. They moved like trained men. Organized. Paid.”

He looked at Robina, his voice steady, but his eyes carried a shadow of recognition. He leaned as he lowered his voice, “Someone powerful is behind this. What if the person behind this is Eugenio Cardinal?”

The room fell silent. The name hung heavy, dangerous.

Amanda’s breath caught. “Cardinal? That’s… that’s impossible. Why would he care about us?”

Raell clenched his fists, his voice trembling with both fear and certainty. “Because I saw one of their faces. Just for a moment, when the mask slipped. I recognized him. I’ve seen that man before — always standing behind Cardinal whenever he’s out in public, watching, silent, like a shadow.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. “You’re sure? You’re not just imagining it?”

Raell shook his head. “No. I’ve noticed him more than once. At rallies, at charity events, even outside the municipal hall. He’s always there, close enough to guard, far enough to blend in. Tonight, he was one of them.”

Alice’s voice trembled. “But why us? Why Robina? What does Cardinal want?”

Krystina hugged her knees, whispering. “Is it intimidation? A warning? Or… something worse?”

Amanda’s tears fell freely. “He’s a powerful man. If he’s behind this, then it’s not just about scaring us. He wants control. He wants silence.”

Cris slammed his fist against the armrest. “Silence about what? We’re just students. What could we possibly know that threatens him?”

Robina’s gaze darkened, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. “Maybe it’s not about what we know. Maybe it’s about what we might discover.”

Joshua leaned forward, his voice hushed. “Then we’re already in the middle of something bigger than we can imagine. If Cardinal is pulling the strings, we’re not just fighting thugs… we’re fighting a machine.”

The group sat in heavy silence, the weight of Raell’s revelation pressing down on them. The air in Joshua’s living room felt colder, tighter, as if the walls themselves were listening.

**********

Santos stood stiffly before Eugenio, his voice low but tense.

“The attempt failed. She escaped.”

Eugenio’s eyes narrowed, furious. His grip tightening around the glass in his hand.

“What?! Failure is unacceptable! Next time, make sure there are no mistakes!”

Santos swallowed hard, his throat dry. He knew the students were growing stronger, more cautious. But Eugenio’s obsession was unstoppable, and disobedience meant ruin.

Though hesitant, he said: “They fought back harder than expected. The boy… he nearly broke through our men. They’re not ordinary students anymore. They’re learning.”

Eugenio slammed the glass down, shards scattering across the floor.

Coldly, he responded, “Then learn faster. Adapt. I don’t care how strong they think they are — they will break. Robina will be mine, and the rest will crumble.”

From the hallway, Remore froze. He had overheard his father’s rage before, but tonight it was sharper, darker. He pressed himself against the wall, he remembered his mother's whisper with urgency into the phone in their room…

“Yes… yes, I know. He’s losing control. If this continues, everything will collapse. We can’t keep covering for him.”

Remore’s chest tightened. His family was fracturing under the weight of Eugenio’s crimes. His father’s obsession was poisoning them all.

His thoughts raced.

I should warn Robina. She deserves to know what’s coming. But if Father finds out… if Santos suspects me… I’ll be destroyed. He owns our silence.

He clenched his fists, torn between fear and conscience.

Do I betray my blood to save her… or stay silent and watch her fall?

The muffled sound of Eugenio’s voice carried down the hall, each word dripping with menace.

He heard his father in the other room: “Next time, Santos, there will be no escape. Failure again… and it will be your head.”

........................

Remore shut his eyes, the weight of choice pressing down on him. His family was unraveling, and he stood at the edge of betrayal.

Meanwhile, Robina stood, her voice trembling but firm. “We can’t hide forever. Last night is unexpected and we failed to gather a proof. We need to record everything. If they try again, we’ll have proof then we can report it to the police.”

Raell nodded. “And if Eugenio is behind this, we’ll expose him.”

Amanda protested, “But how?! How are we supposed to expose Eugenio Cardinal? We don’t even know those thugs who are trying to scare us! Do you really think they’ll expose Cardinal themselves? We’ll be dead before we even find out!’’

Alice gripped Amanda’s hand tightly, her fingers pressing with a desperate strength as if to anchor them both. Though fear flickered in her own eyes, she forced a fragile smile toward her friend. It was a smile born not of calm but of courage, a trembling attempt to reassure Amanda that they could all endure together. In that small gesture, Alice tried to lend her strength, even as her own heart raced with dread.

Then Joshua added, “We’ll survive. Together.”

“We need to stay alert. If they show up again…” Cris turned sharply to Krytina and Eyrah, his eyes narrowing with a stern intensity that made both of them stiffen. His voice carried the weight of command, leaving no room for doubt.

“…keep your wits about you. Record everything, whatever it takes. We need their faces — and the car’s plate number.”

The room fell silent for a moment, the tension thick enough to choke on. Krytina exchanged a nervous glance with Eyrah, her fingers twitching as if already reaching for her phone. Eyrah swallowed hard, nodding slowly, the seriousness of Cris’s words sinking in. The three of them stood in uneasy stillness, each aware that the next encounter could decide whether they uncovered the truth — or became its victims.

Amanda whispered with trembling voice, “What if they hurt us?”

Robina’s eyes hardened. “We have to fight... At all cost...”

But deep down, she feared Eugenio’s strategy was already unfolding.

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Rose Cardinal left the office of Delgado, determination in her eyes. She had allies now, and she would use them to unravel Eugenio’s conspiracy.

Rose thought, He thinks he can silence me. But I’ve seen his aide, I know his methods. Delgado will help me trace the men. This time, Eugenio won’t hide behind power.

Her steps were brisk, but her heart pounded. Every shadow on the street felt like a watcher. Still, she whispered to herself:

I will expose you… No matter the cost it will take.

Eugenio’s fury boiled up after the failed abduction. He paced through his study, wine glass trembling in his hand.

Eugenio muttered, “She’s stronger than I thought. Her friends protect her. Then I’ll break the circle. One by one.”

He turned sharply to Santos, commanding “Target the friends. Isolate her. Fear will consume her when she realizes no one can save her.”

Santos hesitated, his jaw tight. Careful to respond, “They’re growing cautious. If we strike too openly, suspicion will fall on you.”

Eugenio’s glare was ice, snapping: “Then strike from the shadows. I don’t care how. Just make sure she stands alone. Failure again, Santos… and you’ll regret it.”

Santos bowed his head, obeying, though unease gnawed at him.

To be continued.....