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JACE's POV

The corner of my lips twitched upon seeing his message. He's actually saying that there's a problem with the cheque that I've issued to him. Of course, there would be a problem with it because he could never encash it no matter what he does.

That was part of my plan so that he would contact me again. Pretending to save him the night of the party was all part of the plan so that he wouldn't suspect that I was the one who actually destroyed AHG.

But on the other hand, I knew that I shouldn't be confident about all this. I should think three steps ahead of him so that I could continue outwitting him until I manage to finally get what I wanted.

I replied to him and told him that I was in his orphanage. I asked if we could meet and he said yes but not for now. He also said that he was out of the country for now and would be back tomorrow.

'Okay, Doctor Baron. No problem. Let's meet up tomorrow so that I could address the problem.' After sending the message, I stood up from my seat and then pretended to be leaving.

"Are you leaving now, Mr. Montes?" One of the workers there asked me. I faked a smile and then nodded my head.

"Yes, Miss. I still have a meeting to attend to. I only came here because I was expecting to see Doctor Baron here. Anyway, I need to go." I then turned around and exited the orphanage. I went straight to my car and when I got inside, I contacted Viper.

"Are you already inside?" I asked full of seriousness.

"Yes, six. I already checked every room in here but I didn't see any sign of that fùcking doctor."

"Okay. Check any document that you could find in there then; get anything that you find useful and after that, let's meet up." I instructed.

"Copy." I then started the engine of my car and drove my way out of there. I smirked.

When I arrived there at the orphanage a while ago, I deliberately talked to every worker there so that I could distract them while Viper did his part of the mission. I succeeded. I managed to get their attention and Viper used that as an opportunity to infiltrate inside without anyone noticing him.

"Just a little bit more and everything will be finished." I uttered to myself.

But when I reached the freeway, I noticed a white car tailing my car. I deliberately stayed on the right lane with a speed of 100 kph while furtively observing the vehicle. They kept their distance but because of my experiences as an agent, I could read their movement so easily.

Looked like the enemy was also moving, trying to execute their plans, but I've already anticipated all that and prepared preventive measures. I just needed to wait for the right time in order to execute my plans.

When I reached the next exit, I took it and I was right. They followed me. I took that exit because I could lead them to the mountainous part of the area so that I could corner them.

After about fifteen minutes more, we reached that certain area where I knew that almost deserted, that's when I stepped on the gas and picked up my speed. The road was narrow and kinda zigzag but it wasn't that hard for me to stay on the right line with a fast pace.

I looked at the rearview mirror and noticed that the distance between us became further. I smirked. Looked like the noticed that I already knew that they were tailing me that was why they're really trying to catch up to me now.

"You have to learn to drive in this kind of road to catch me." When I saw a small uncemented road on the right, I took it right away and then stopped the car in the middle of the road and quickly got out of it. I then hid myself behind the high and thick bushes just behind the trees. I cocked my gun and readied myself.

Seconds later, they finally arrived. They stopped their car before my car and then went out of their vehicle. My prediction was right. They're nothing but the enemies' minions. There were five of them.

"Check the inside of his car!" One of them ordered and the other one obliged.

"No one's inside the car."

"Damn it! spread out and look for him! He is still nearby for sure!"

"Yes, boss!" The other four men went to different directions and one of them happened to past by my hiding spot.

While walking, he was looking around while holding a high caliber gun. Because he wasn't aware of my presence behind him, he couldn't do anything when I put my hands around his head and then roughly twisted it to break his neck.

"Argh!" He groaned and fell to the ground. I stealthily moved and followed the others and managed to kill them one by one without any sound. They didn't even know what happened.

When I managed to eliminate them, I went back to my hiding spot to see what was the other one doing. He was standing near their car while waiting.

I picked up a stone and then threw it to the spot where I wanted him to be. He snapped his head to that direction when he heard that noise. I smirked when he pointed his gun on that spot while slowly approaching it. Now, his back was on me. Bingo!

Just when he was about to reach that spot, I went behind him without any sound and then pointed the gun that I was holding on his head.

"Don't you dare move an inch or I'll kill you." I threatened him and pressed the tip of my gun harder against the back of his head. I could tell that his body went frozen in fear upon realizing that he was now in grave danger.

"Throw your gun away from you." I instructed him and because of fear, he obliged right away. I could almost feel the shaking of his body from where I was standing.

"Now, tell me. Why the fùck were you following me?"

"Y-You're mistaken. We weren't f-following you." He denied. I gritted my teeth because of his lie. I kicked behind his knee which caused him to fall on his knees on the ground.

"What do you think of me, stupid? You were obviously following me. Now, tell me; what do you want from me?! Who sent you?!" I roared impatiently even though I already knew the answer to my questions. He was beginning to drench in nervous sweat.

"I-I don't know anything!"

"Oh, is that so? You're useless to me then." I was about to pull the trigger when he finally spilled the beans.

"I-It was Doctor Baron. H-He just wanted to c-confirm if you're one of his e-enemies or not. The ET VINDEX is after him right now that's why he wanted to make sure that you weren't one of them."

I scoffed. "Where is he right now?" He shook his head.

"I don't h-have any idea. H-He just c-contacted us for this j-job."

"Really? If that was the case, I need you to do something for me."

"W-What do you want? I'll do anything, j-just don't kill me." He begged with shaking voice.

"Call him and report to him that you didn't find anything suspicious about me. Make sure not to let him notice that you're lying or else, I will kill you just like I did to your comrades." He nodded his head vigorously.

"Yes, I-I'll do it." He then took out his cellphone from his pocket. His hands were trembling and it added to my anger. How dare he feel scared now that he's in danger while he did many more terrible things to others?

"I'll remind you once more. Make sure that he will not notice anything or else, you know what will happen next. Put it on loudspeaker." I threatened him again and he nodded his head. He dialed on his phone and after a couple of rings, Doctor Baron finally answered.

"What's the news, Banjo? Did you find something suspicious about him? It's been a week since I gave you this mission but until now, you still don't have any positive report."

"Just like I've told you before, boss. He seemed like a normal man. I didn't find anything suspicious about Montes. His files are clean. We've been following him these past few days but everything about him seemed normal. Our men couldn't dig anything smelly about his personality." I smirked when he managed to answer without faltering or stammering.

"Are you sure about this, Banjo? You know what's at stake here."

"Positive, boss."

"Good. At least, I can use that guy with my plans." Then, the line went dead.

"I already did what you've said. Please, let me go." Banjo begged.

"Let you go? In your dreams, man." I then knocked him out by hitting the sensitive part of his nape with my gun. I then contacted our clean-up team to clean the place.

After about 30 minutes, I received a call from Viper. We met somewhere private so that no one could hear what he would tell me.

"I saw this inside the office of the orphanage. It was actually inside a vault, but I managed to open it without a hitch." My eyebrows creased as I looked at the Photo album that Viper was holding. I took it and checked its content.

Upon seeing the pictures, I felt like my blood went into a boil. Those pictures were pictures of my father together with Doctor Baron and Mantus! Judging from every picture, they looked like good friends way back many years ago.

The pictures started when they were still on their teenage years until to their thirties. There weren't any recent pictures of them after that.

"I can't believe that Mantus and your father are connected with this guy." Viper commented while shaking his head. My breathing became hard as anger rose within me. I stood up.

"Hey, where are you going?" Viper asked confusedly.

"I need to do something." I answered without looking at him and then exited that place. I got inside my car and drove my way towards my father-in-law's company. When I arrived there, they let me in right away because they already knew that I was Christine's husband.

While walking down the hallway, I bumped into someone. I didn't notice that someone was on my way because of so much anger.

"Watch it, man. If I was an enemy of yours, I already have attacked you without you even noticing it." My eyebrows furrowed upon hearing that familiar voice. It was Greg. I almost forgot that this guy actually exists.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked emotionlessly. He raised his hands as if he was conceding.

"Nothing serious. Don't worry, because I was just kidding. You look like you're in a rush so I'll go on ahead." My jaw clenched. Before I could answer, he walked past me. I mentally shook my head. I didn't know that he was a weird guy.

Thankfully, I managed to prevent him from courting Christine before. I huffed.

I then went directly to my father-in-law's office. I opened the door without knocking, couldn't care less if he would get pissed off at me. He was obviously surprise upon seeing me.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Montejo?" There was a tinge of anger in his voice, but I didn't care anymore. I met his gaze angrily.

"What is the meaning of this?" I chided at him through gritted teeth and then handed him the photo album that I was holding. His eyebrows knitted together but took it from me anyway and opened it. I saw the obvious surprise on his face upon seeing the pictures inside.

"How long are you going to hide about this to us? How come you know them? Are you protecting them that's why you've never told the organization about this?!" I asked him with a loud voice. I thought, he was going to try denying it, but I was wrong.

He met my gaze and then looked into my eyes without any emotion on his face.

"Where did you get this?" He questioned without answering any of my questions.

"That's not important! Just answer my questions before I lose every respect and trust that I have for you. Doctor Baron is a terrorist while my father is a mafia boss. You never said anything about this to us while here I am, trying my best to find these mother fùckers! You know what they did to JC, yet you kept your mouth shut!" I couldn't control my rage anymore. I couldn't believe that he has this secret connection with my father and Doctor Baron but he never mentioned anything about it.

He closed the photo album and then stood up. He took a bottle of whiskey and then poured some into a glass before he drank it in one gulp.

I thought, he would stay silent like that but then, he spoke.

"Yes, I know them. I've known them since we were 17 years old. They were one of the original members of ET VINDEX before. I was with them when we founded this organization." I gasped in surprise. I didn't expect this turn of events.

"But the group got disunited because some of the members suddenly chose different paths. Yes, we gained connections and wealth through the organization but that was the reason too why the first ET VINDEX turned into disarray.

"Your father chose another path and succeeded his father as a mafia boss. I don't know if you knew about this but the Montejo clan runs a powerful mafia group that is feared by many in the underground. On the other hand, Stan and I remained friends.

"When I decided to revive the ET VINDEX again, he supported me even though he wasn't part of the organization anymore. I thought, he didn't have any plans of coming back to the organization anymore but when I announced that I would retire from being Mantus, he suddenly expressed his interest of my position.

"But I declined because I already promised to the Alessi clan of Sicily that my successor would be an Alessi. The role Mantus is a complicated one because before I even became Mantus, the Alessi Clan was the one who helped me gain power in the underworld. I owe a lot to my friend who is a member of the Alessi clan and a pact is a pact.

"Because I didn't approve, Stan suddenly went berserk. That's when I discovered that he'd been running a syndicate behind my back and he needed my position to gain power and money in the underworld. Because of that, our friendship collapsed and now, he's my mortal enemy." He narrated.

My lips thinned after I heard his revelations.

"So, the Alta Hama Group attacked my family that night, three years ago, not because of me but because of you? Doctor Stanley Baron was taking revenge on you?" I questioned but I was already certain of the answer.

"Yes. He planned to kill my daughter and JC that night because of his grudge against me. I didn't know that he was behind all that until I did my own investigation recently. I'm not sure yet what is the role of Jacinto in AHG but one thing is confirmed now. He was the one who helped Stan escaped twice during your mission." I clenched my hands tightly.

"Why didn't you tell me about this when I first came to you? You made me feel like I was incompetent by mocking how I handled what happened three years ago. You put the blame on me when you knew yourself that you were the reason why they targeted JC and Christine. I've been carrying the guilt and regret all these years, but now, I suddenly discovered about this. I don't think I can trust you anymore, Mantus." I uttered with a stern voice. His eyes bored into me.

"Just like I've told you just now; I didn't see any reason to remember the past anymore. Yes, their part of my past but now, they're nothing but enemies to me, especially Stan." I pounded my fists on the table because of anger.

"You didn't see the reason? Isn't it enough reason that your own grandson and daughter were almost got killed by those b*stards?! I been blaming myself of what happened that night! I felt like I didn't do enough to protect my own family! If you only have told me about this earlier, I could've done something about it to protect JC and Christine!" I couldn't take it anymore and raised my voice at him.

"You weren't the only one. Until now, I keep on blaming myself because I feel like I've destroyed my own daughter's family. She got hurt so much thinking that JC died that night. But even though I've been wanting to take my revenge, I stepped back and gave you that opportunity." His face softened. His eyes went sombre.

This was the first time that I've seen him with this kind of expression and I was taken aback. I wanted to punch the lights out of him but for some reason, I couldn't no matter how angry I was. Maybe because I knew how much he loves his family.

I've witnessed that many times. He loves his family so much that's why he would never forgive whoever attempts to hurt them in anyway, just like what he did to me three years.

Yes, I've tasted his wrath three years ago. But I chose to forget about that because I knew I deserved it. If Christine wasn't my wife, he surely would've done worst to me.

"Is that suppose to make me feel better after what I've discovered?" I asked sarcastically.

"We can't take back what already happened, Montejo, but we can still do something about it in the present. I told about this to Jinn a few months ago that's why he decided to ask you to come back to the ET VINDEX in order to fix the problem yourself.

"Your family is involved in this and it's just right that you're the one who handles this mission. Jinn didn't want us to kill you father. I don't know why I agreed to this. Maybe, deep inside of me, I was still hoping that Jacinto could change. About Stan, he's hopeless and needs to be eliminated.

"Your family will never live in peace if he remains alive or at large. He was my friend but that friendship got terminated when he attempted to assassinate Christine and JC. If ever Jacinto was involved in the kidnapping of JC and that attempted assassination, I will never forgive him." I could hint the anger in his voice.

"Now that I finally know everything, I will do everything in my power to make them pay. I think you're just trying to avoid killing your own friends that's why you agreed to Jinn when he suggested that I should be the one to handle this mission." I answered bravely and then turned my back on him.

Just when I was about to stride my way out of there, he spoke.

"Use the information I gave you. Read everything that was written in there because you will need it. If Stan contacted you, make sure not to fall into his trap." The corner of my lips twitched.

"You don't need to tell me that. I already know what kind of person I'm dealing with. He can't deceive me anymore." I went out of there with a hardened face. I then called Viper again and my other men to brief them of my plan for our mission tomorrow.

That night, I kept on tossing and turning in our bed because I couldn't sleep. If it was possible, I would've pulled the time so that tomorrow would come already.

"Hey. You look troubled." The husky voice of my wife. I suddenly felt guilty because she woke up because of me.

I gathered her into my arms. She hugged me back and then pillowed her head on my chest.

"I just can't wait for tomorrow, mi amor." She sighed.

"I'm worried about you, mi amor, but I need to stay strong. Just please make sure to come back home unharmed. I hope too that you could bring JC back home this time." Her voice was full of worry but I could hint the longingness too.

"I'm sorry that it's taking me so long to save JC. I am doing everything I can but sometimes, I feel like it's not enough." She lifted her head and then looked at me.

"Don't say that. I've seen your efforts these past week. I know that you've been giving everything you can to save our son. I'm sorry too because I keep on asking you about it. This must've been adding to your pressure. It's just I'm so worried about JC." Her eyes watered as she bit her lower lip.

I caressed her cheek and stared into her tantalizing blue eyes lovingly.

"You don't have to say sorry because I understand. You, JC and our unborn baby are my strength in this fight, so please, stay strong and have faith that everything will eventually be alright. I promised you that, didn't I?" I nodded my head. "And I intend to keep that promise." She smiled.

"I know that you could do it, mi amor. I trust you." That made my heart swell.

"I love you, mi amor. Always remember that."

"I know. I love you too." Our lips met for a gentle yet passionate kiss before we decided to sleep. I fell asleep with a light load in my chest.

Then, the morning came. Our meeting time would be at 7 pm but I left home at 7 am because me and my men had to do something to prepare for later.

Hours passed and 7 pm finally came. 10 minutes before 7 pm, I was already there at the shooting range just like we've planned. There was a cafeteria in there, so I waited there for him. When he arrived, my lips parted in shock when I saw that he wasn't alone. 

But then, I managed to pull myself together right away and pretended that everything was alright even though I felt like I was about to explode in so much rage. 

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Do you think Jace has the right to get mad at Mantus for not being honest with him?

Did you expect that Mantus was actually friends with (Stan) Doctor Baron and (Jacinto) Jace's father?

Do you think that Jace will succeed this time?

Do you think Mantus did the right thing for not telling Jace about the truth about him, Stan and Jacinto?

Who do you think was with Doctor Baron when he arrived?

Stay tuned for the next chapter because something good will happen:) 

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