Monica and her brother were crammed into the back of a dusty, dented jeep—hands tied, mouths gagged. Marcus was seething, seated at the front with a smug grin, holding a beer like a victory trophy.
"You thought you could just walk away? No one betrays Marcus," he spat, his words slurring. "Your brother's gonna learn that the hard way. I'll ask for a million in ransom—him and this ride? Jackpot."
His cronies cheered, clinking beer bottles, their laughter echoing like mockery in the desert air.
Monica turned her eyes to Daniels. He looked pale, too terrified to move, let alone speak. Gagged and trembling. Her heart twisted. She shuffled closer, nudging him lightly, trying to comfort him with presence alone. The jeep sped past rows of tin-roofed shacks, and dread thickened in her chest.
Meanwhile, Nathan was buttoning his blazer, preparing to leave his office. Damien intercepted him at the door.
"Where are you off to?" Damien asked, brows raised.
"I'm... meeting with a planner. Kuku and I each got our own. We're deciding which one's better," Nathan replied, hesitating.
"But I thought finding a planner was your job. Since when did your mom join the scouting party?"
Nathan rubbed the back of his neck. "Long story. Look, I won't be back until after the engagement. I'm leaving the office in your hands. Oh—and keep an eye on Uncle Adam. He's been acting...off since the wedding."
Damien gave him a long look. "Sure. But son, listen... be careful. With the wedding prep especially."
Nathan blinked. "You think Adam's trying to kill me?"
"No," Damien sighed. "But I think he's planning something with the company."
Nathan narrowed his eyes. "Uncle... is there something you and Ruben aren't telling me? I've lived with Ruben for years, but he's a closed book. Every time someone new comes into my life, Ruben changes—and then, just like that, they disappear. What's going on?"
Damien placed a firm hand on Nathan's shoulder. "You'll understand one day. For now—watch the people around you. Especially that 'unexpected' planner. Do a background check before you pick."
Before Nathan could ask more, Ruben appeared.
"Ready?" Ruben said, all calm exterior.
Nathan eyed him with growing suspicion. "Man… who are you, and why are you in my life?"
"I'm a mystery, Nathan," Ruben replied coolly. "One you won't solve until you're married."
"You've been saying that since I was ten."
"And it's still true."
Nathan rolled his eyes and followed Ruben to the car.
Back in the city, Evan picked Emily up from school.
"I can't wait to get home," she beamed. "Vicky left us dessert in the fridge. My friends ate my lunch, again."
Evan chuckled. "Let's stop by the store first. Vicky asked for a cold drink since she didn't make oshikudu last night."
"Good! I'm tired of that stuff."
As they approached the store, Emily slowed. She stood frozen, staring at the front window.
"Emily, come on—" Evan stopped mid-sentence as he saw what caught her eye.
It was Vicky's picture. Taped to the store window with the bold word: BANNED.
Emily ripped the paper off.
"Hey kid, put that back," the security guard barked.
"This is my sister. Why is she banned?" she demanded.
The guard crossed his arms. "She had a tiff with the store owner."
Evan stepped forward, fists clenched. "Why?"
"Something about an agreement she didn't like."
Evan's memory flashed to the agreement letter. His jaw tightened.
"I knew it!" Emily snapped. "He must've done something to her. I won't let this go."
"No wonder she stopped selling snacks in the morning," Evan murmured.
Emily puffed her cheeks. "I'll make oshikudu tonight. Vicky taught me!"
"Yeah, I'll help. I know how too," Evan said, pride swelling in his chest.
At the resort, Kuku, Ruben, and Nathan pulled in.
Kuku glanced at Nathan. "Why do I feel like we might've hired the same planner?"
Nathan scoffed. "I haven't met mine yet, but I'm positive it's not who you're thinking of."
Just then, an unknown number rang on Ruben's second phone. Nathan didn't even notice—a while ago, Ruben had filtered all Nathan's calls through himself.
"You coming?" Kuku asked, already stepping out.
"I'll be right there. Go ahead," Ruben said.
He answered silently, letting his tracker trace the signal.
"Finally, you picked up. Aren't you going to say hello?" a woman's voice cooed.
Ruben stayed quiet.
"I heard you're getting married…" she said teasingly. Then a second voice whispered in the background:
"Why isn't he speaking? What if it's that spy bodyguard listening?"
Click.
The call ended.
"Damn it," Ruben muttered, his expression darkening.