Everyone was running towards the front room. Objects flew, hitting the walls and crashing into pieces. Ceramic and glass shards scattered on the floor. Along with it, the sounds of screams and curses echoed. It was deafening to everyone witnessing it.
Yes, Jovanka was raging in her residence. She looked at her assistant with a sharp gaze while Evans stood silently with his blank expression.
"What's going on?" Cindy glanced between Evans and Jovanka. The middle-aged couple behind her were holding hands in worry and fear simultaneously. "Evans?" Cindy looked at Evans again, seeking an answer.
Evans carefully navigated through the glass shards and picked up the papers Jovanka had crumpled in anger. It was a police summons addressed to Jovanka. Not only that, but Cindy also noticed several swollen credit card bills, penalty invoices from the agency's law firm, all addressed to Jovanka Lawrence.
Cindy looked at Evans, and Evans returned the gaze. "I told you to stop. But you never cared." He reminded her. "You kept supporting her in whatever she wanted to do. And now, we're left with nothing.
"You can't get your sister's wealth, and she can't return to the industry that made her name because Mrs. Quirino has blacklisted her from the entertainment world.
"And this house. It will be the only asset left to cover all the losses she has caused."
Cindy looked at Jovanka, who was now wailing while clutching her hair. Her eyes seemed unfocused. In just a short time, her body looked very different from the Jovanka of the past. She appeared haggard and unkempt. Far from the words beautiful and elegant.
"How could this happen?" Cindy glared sharply at Evans. The innocent face she had shown to everyone else looked distinctly different in front of Evans.
"You're still asking me? You're the one who orchestrated all of this. You manipulated her mind into taking all those contracts. You're the one who persuaded her to take the last two contracts that she didn't even want anymore.
"What did you tell her? So she could gain recognition from the Quirino family? All the nonsense you put into her head only made you both miserable in the end." Evans scoffed again. His eyes narrowed as he glanced at the two parents standing behind Cindy.
"Look at what you've done to her now. Look at what you've done to her! There's nothing left for you to take from her anymore. And clearly, I won't be responsible for her."
Evans reached for his bag on the chair and turned his body around. "I'm done with all of you. I'm done with Jovanka. You deal with all the remaining mess you've created. Because I'm done with your greediness and your family."
Evans walked away towards the door and slammed it shut.
"Cindy..." Her mother whispered. The old woman let go of her husband's hand and approached her daughter. But what she received was a harsh treatment.
"Stop it, Mom. I don't want to hear any of your lectures right now!" Cindy said sharply. She looked at her mother with anger.
"Sweetheart, you have to stop." Her mother pleaded. "Have pity on Jovanka."
Cindy turned around and looked at her mother with a furious gaze. "Pity? So Mom has more pity for that adopted child than me?!" She asked sharply. Both of them froze, their faces paling and shaking their heads simultaneously.
"No, honey, it's not like that. You know we love you very much. But Jovanka..." Her mother tried to persuade.
"Why her? Because she's prettier than me, so you adore her more? Because she can give you money, so you love her more?! You're just greedy parents!" She yelled loudly.
"Cindy..."
"What?!" She shouted again. "What's wrong if I ask her to compensate for all the affection she received from you by giving me wealth?" She asked with hysterical laughter.
"She has a good body she can sell. So what's wrong with using all of that for our benefit? It's not just me who benefits here. Altezza can get her body. She can achieve her dream of becoming famous. And I can get her wealth."
"But not like this, dear." This time her father spoke up, and Cindy looked at him with a murderous gaze.
"Not like this? Then how? Working hard all day just for measly money? Why should I do something difficult when I can do something easy? And did you think I haven't been working hard all this time?! I have been working hard! I became her servant! I became her doormat! I did whatever she ordered me to, even cleaning up her mess! I worked hard for it. So don't think I'm just taking advantage." She replied.
She looked at Jovanka, who was still sitting, ruffling her hair and mumbling incoherently.
"It's not my fault if she's truly in love with Altezza. She's the one too foolish to be enchanted by that man's charm. Even though I asked her not to play with hearts. And she didn't heed my command.
"But yes, it's hard to resist Altezza's charm. I might even be tempted if I weren't so smart." Cindy laughed mockingly. "And yes, I'm too smart. So this isn't over yet." Cindy walked towards Jovanka. "Joe." She called softly. The woman jumped in surprise.
"Cindy... where is Altezza? You said you would bring him back to me! You said you would get him back for me. Where is he?" She asked repeatedly.
"Where is he, Cindy?! Where's my Altezza?!" This time she screamed. Her hands gripped Cindy's arms tightly. Her long nails digging into Cindy's bare skin.
"You will get him. We will get him. We just need to remove the obstacles. Once the obstacle is gone, then Altezza will come back to you. I'm sure of it." Cindy whispered persuasively.
Jovanka looked at her incredulously.
"Why? Don't you believe me?" She asked with a sad expression. "After all I've done for you, and now you don't believe me?"
Jovanka still stared at her intensely. "No-no. I believe you." She reassured Cindy.
Cindy smiled triumphantly. "Of course, you have to believe me. Only we will take care of you. Only we will love you. Isn't that how it's been all this time?" Jovanka nodded obediently.
"Very good, Joe. Now get up and get dressed. You wouldn't want to look bad in Altezza's eyes, would you?" Once again, Jovanka nodded her head. Cindy helped her stand up. "Clean everything up, Ma. I want everything to be neat when we return."
Cindy escorted Jovanka upstairs. She found clothes for her and even did her makeup to make her look beautiful.
"Remember, Joe. You don't like it when I call you Sister. And you will rage in front of anyone if I call you that." She whispered in Jovanka's ear. Jovanka nodded again. "And don't forget. However you can, you have to get rid of that obstacle. You know who he is, right?" Jovanka nodded once more.
"You're indeed smart, Joe. Now let's go and remove that obstacle so you can be back with Altezza."