Luna's Payback: Claiming My Fate!

28:

They weren't mistaken—Angelo was indeed the man standing before them! A sense of relief washed over them, thinking that if Angelo was there, Veronica must be with him.

“Angelo! Thank goodness you’re here,” Eduard's face lit up.

Theresa rushed towards him. “Angelo, where is Veronica? We’re so worried about her.”

Suddenly, Angelo's expression softened, and he hung his head, looking utterly defeated. This alarmed the Albert family, including Michelle.

Marky, unable to hold back, grabbed Angelo by the collar, his teeth clenched in anger. “Why won’t you answer my mom, Angelo? Huh? Where is my sister!”

Maria and Theresa screamed at Marky's sudden action. Angelo didn’t resist and instead looked at everyone with sad eyes. “It’s better if we discuss this inside the mansion,” he said in a very low voice.

Because the devilish family had already planned this tactic, Maria quickly objected. “What?! And why should we let those paupers inside our home, Angelo?! Why don’t you just answer their questions here so they can leave! I’m getting irritated!” the old woman screamed shrilly.

The Albert family, innocent as they were, couldn’t hold back any longer. “Hey, Maria. Watch your mouth. The way you talk to us, you’d think you were billionaires. How many times do we have to tell you we’re only here because we’re worried about our daughter!”

Angelo let out a heavy sigh, clearly stressed. “Mom, please? Can you just stay out of this for now? This isn’t the time for this. I have something important to say to everyone, so could you please show them some respect?” he said, pretending to be annoyed with his mother.

If the situation weren’t so crucial, Anne and Maria would have wanted to applaud Angelo. He seemed to have a talent for acting; he could probably win an Oscar.

Because of what Angelo said, the Albert family felt somewhat reassured, especially Marky.

“Well, would you look at that? You can finally talk back to your mother. I thought you’d be under her thumb for life. Good for you, standing up for my sister, you bastard,” Marky spat at his brother-in-law.

Angelo secretly smirked. That was exactly his plan—to convince them that he was innocent and genuinely concerned about Veronica’s whereabouts.

“Anne, tell the servants to bring us some juice and snacks in the living area,” Angelo ordered his sister.

Since it was all part of the plan, Anne pretended to be annoyed, even stomping her foot on the ground. “What? You’re really going to let these paupers in and then ask me to order the servants?” she complained.

Angelo widened his eyes at his sister. “Anne! Just do as I say!” His voice echoed loudly through the vast garden of the Fuentebella estate.

Everyone was momentarily stunned, surprised by Angelo's outburst. It almost made his family forget that everything was just an act to conceal the truth.

Anne was clearly affected by her brother's unexpected yell; she lowered her head and obediently followed his command.

Meanwhile, Veronica's family exchanged meaningful glances, their eyes seeming to say, "He's dead serious."

In silence, they followed Angelo until they reached the living area. Eduard and Theresa couldn’t help but wonder how the Fuentebellas could afford such luxurious furnishings and a grand mansion. After all, there was a time when they struggled just to support their children's education in the university.

But they couldn't dwell on that thought for long. There were more important matters at hand.

“Sit down, Eduard, Theresa.” Angelo gestured to the large, plush sofa.

The couple wanted to be angry at the lack of respect in the way Angelo addressed them, but they decided to hold off on their anger for now.

Everyone complied and took their seats on the sofa. Anne had also returned by then.

Eduard broke the silence. "Angelo... where is our daughter? Why isn't she with you now?" He looked around, hoping to see his child nearby.

Everyone watched as Angelo took a deep breath before responding. "Your daughter is not with me. I don't know where she is."

The family gasped loudly. "What?! How did that happen? Where is she now, Angelo?"

"I don't know where she is," the devilish man conditioned himself to cry for the next part of the scene.

That was when Marky’s pent-up anger and restraint finally exploded. He charged at Angelo, landing a powerful punch to his face. "You bastard! How can you not know where my sister is? You were the last one with her! The last time we saw her was on your wedding day!"

Everyone screamed as Eduard quickly restrained his son.

Anne and Maria shot furious glares at Marky. Angelo, on the other hand, was struggling hard to control his emotions, resisting the urge to hit back at his wife's brother. If he wanted to, he could wipe out this entire family tonight. But of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to do that. He was still in his right mind.

"What you're saying is true, Marky. I was the last one with Veronica... but... b-but..." That’s when his voice finally broke, and tears welled up in his eyes.

"Come on, cry! Let those tears fall!" Angelo silently urged himself.

"W-What do you mean? Tell us!" Marky shouted, his voice trembling with anger.

Maria forcefully struck Marky. "Let go of my son!"

But Marky didn't release Angelo. "Let him be, Mom. He has the right to be mad."

"Angelo, for the love of God, please tell us what happened. Where is our daughter?" Theresa Albert pleaded, now sobbing uncontrollably.

Finally, the tears Angelo had been holding back began to fall. "Let me explain..." He freed himself from Marky's grip.

He collapsed weakly to his knees on the cold tiles. "We were having a good time. A great vacation. We were living the time of our lives. We were happy... but that happiness was taken from us too soon..."

"W-What do you mean, Angelo?" Veronica's mother screamed hysterically.

Angelo approached the elderly woman on his knees, trembling as he took both her hands. "I just went out to buy something, and when I returned to our suite... my wife... she was gone!"

Everyone gasped, their faces filled with fear, shock, and disbelief.

"What do you mean she’s gone? What is the meaning of this?!" Eduard’s voice was now rough with distress.

Angelo averted his gaze. "It's impossible that Veronica would leave me without a reason. And when I returned, the window of our suite was open. So, I know my wife was abducted!"