Chapter 332
Chapter 332
“It’s a good thing you came here early, Lucas!” Mario carried a serious expression on his face. “Today I want to show you something which is only for family…today I want to show you the real Castillos.”
The real Castillos? Did that mean he was finally going to tell me their deepest secrets? Did that mean I could eventually distance myself from this family and leave sooner than expected?
Good, they were…hideous.
Who was I kidding? I enjoyed being here.
“The real Castillos?” I questioned as Mario pulled out a big map and threw it on the table. “Yes, so listen very well.”
Just as expected, that old man showed me a map of where they keep all their products and gave me the names of all their men and business partners. Apparently, Mario trusted me so much that he didn’t know he was serving me his downfall.
All he could see was Carmela’s lost son.
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
“Because I want you to know that I accept you and trust you.”
He trusted mË.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll report all of this?”
“I’m Mario Castillo.” The man held his head high.
“I’ve got nothing to be afraid of.” He spoke with open arms. I admired his confidence, but George Torres was not someone to underestimate, and neither was 1.
I was here to destroy him, and George was willing to do anything to advance Maddens and to get back his only daughter.
“Thank you for being honest with me.”
“Anything for my son.” Mario nodded. “My only son from the love of my life, Carmela.”
I felt a strange feeling in my heart. My only son from the love of my life, Carmela. For some reason, those words did something to me.
It made me think whether starting an alliance with George was really that necessary. I hated Mario for missing a father figure growing up. I hated him. I wanted to destroy him-but at the same time, I was ready to forgive him. Everything he said about his love for mom was true, and the maids confirmed it
As Elena suggested, I spoke to the maids who had nothing but love and praise for Mario Castillo and mom, who they had never forgotten about
Linda is the one you should worry about,’ The maids spoke shamelessly. She used every strength in her body to keep those two apart
Why could they not tell Mario about it? Easy, accusing his wife without evidence would leave them killed.
I had promised George to help him catch Marvin, but after getting to know my brother-I didn’t believe him to be the bad guy either. Despite his cold aura and his monstrous business ways, Marvin was a warm person who cared for The Castillos.
‘I wasn’t looking for a new brother, a detective at that, but you seem decent-so you can visit any time you want.’ He spoke sincerely at lunch, giving me a backhanded compliment. I didn’t mind, though. The thought of having a brother was already enough for me. Property © 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.
I had to confront that woman.
I had to confront Linda.
It was many years ago, so she would surely apologize.
There was no other way.
Whether I would throw the Castillos under the bus with the information I had just received or betray George would all depend on Linda’s answer.
My decision, my hatred for the Castillos-would all depend on her,
“Dad.” It came out so naturally.
Mario smiled. “Yes, son?”
“Do you really trust me that much?”
Mario grabbed my hands. “With all my life.” He spoke warmly. “I don’t know your plans, but I need you to know that I’m proud of you, and I trust you.
I pulled back my hands. Would he know? No, of course, he couldn’t.
All kind gestures aside, if he was aware of my contact with George Torres, he would also know about his daughter and would have her head at once.
I was a detective, but George and Alex Torres were DEA agents. It was different.
“I think I’ll go for a walk-so if you’ll excuse me.”
“Should I come with?”
“No.” I sighed, guilt washing over me. “You should continue whatever you were doing
I left behind a confused Mario and made my way downstairs to find Linda as endless thoughts went through my head.
If Linda was willing to give me a sincere apology for all she’s done, I could put all of this behind me and protect my family from George.
If the witch refused to apologize, I would give George the information he so desperately longed for- and I would do it so I could see the family she so much loved fall apart.
“Hey, twin brother!” Karina surprised me by throwing her arms around my neck before pulling me into a hug.
Twin brother, that was her nickname for me, while it was actually an embarrassment that we were so close in age. It was nothing to celebrate.
Had she been drinking again?
“Do you know where I can find your mom?” I pushed her off.
“That depends. What do you need her for?”Karina leaned in closer with a bright smile. For someone who could barely keep her balance at times, she was very nosy.
She sighed, noticing I would not answer her question, and pointed to the backyard. “As always.” She rolled her eyes.
“Thanks.” I patted her back before heading to the backyard. Linda was in her bikini, wearing her sunglasses while relaxing in a lounge chair.
This woman was living quite the life. One that was supposed to be for mom.
“Linda,” I called her by her first name. This woman wasn’t worthy of my respect, not until she’d apologized.
“Isn’t that Lucas?” She lowered her sunglasses while I sat down on the opposite side. “How have you been, sweetheart?” She asked. “Are you still enjoying your time here-and for how long are you planning on staying?”
Excuse me? I had more right to stay here than she did.
“My mom, Carmela Nunes.” I cut to the chase, not wanting to waste any time. “You kicked her out, didn’t you?”
Linda’s expression hadn’t changed, showing me she did not care. “L-Lucas, I don’t know what you’re talking about-
“Cut the crap.
A low laugh escaped from Linda’s lips. She huffed, brushing her dark hair to the side.
“Your mother was screwing my husband, thinking she could work her way up and take my position!” She spoke. “Yes, I kicked out that lowly wench-so what?”
Her confession seemed to be relatively quick. This woman was not ashamed of her actions, and it almost seemed as if she had been waiting for me to confront her.
“You owe me an apology.” I said. “Apologize sincerely, and I’ll forget about the past for your husband’s
sake
I honestly didn’t want to go against the Castillos, not anymore–but it seemed like she wouldn’t give me any choice.
Tm sorry, my husband’s sake?” Linda laughed.
“My husband’s sake?”
“You owe me an apology for daring to show your face here.” She spat. “Carmela was nothing. She couldn’t go up against me-Mario didn’t want her, so I got rid of her for him. Those are the facts
I glared at the woman, not being able to speak after hearing those harsh words. How could Mario, dad, not see her true colors?
Frustrated, I balled my fist, hoping not to do anything regretful, but Linda, who had bottled up all her feelings, was on a roll, and she was not going to stop anytime soon.
“Okay, I’m sorry.” She shrugged. “I am sorry that your mother was a crackhead who spent her days sniffing coke instead of changing your diapers, but by the looks of it, you’ve turned out just fine. Resent her all you want, but don’t take it out on me!”
“Linda!” I growled, anger taking over me-but she did not flinch. Instead, she lifted her chin to show me neither my opinion nor my words mattered.
“What?” She scoffed rudely with a slight pout on her lips.
For a second, I stared down at my balled fist. This woman was testing me. She was provoking me, waiting for me to make a mistake-but I could never hit a woman. I’d seen my mother in way too much pain to ever lay my hands on a woman.
“I know you’re here to steal the business, but there’s one thing you should understand,” Linda stated. “Mario might have taking a liking towards you, but you are not Marvin—and you will never be Marvin.”
Trust me. I don’t want to be.”
What the woman didn’t know was that hearing her praise the son she loved more than anything in the world only pushed me towards the darkness even more. If anything, it was all I needed to hand all the information to George-so I could take away the person she loved the most.
I would make it my dying wish to see her in pain.
“So you are not going to apologize?” I gave her one last chance, but Linda shook her head.
“Never.”
Never?
“You just wait.” I chuckled, leaning in closer. “I will remain right here to ruin you, and I promise I won’t leave this place until I’ve made your life a living hell,” I spoke. “I’ll make you pull all hair out your scalp because you won’t be able to take it any longer-and when the time is right…you’ll confess to all your mistakes by choice, and you will beg me to stop.”
Linda stopped breathing for a split second. “You little
“Have a nice day, mom.”