Chapter 1: Undercover

   She and her brother may not be in the best of terms, but he really is her brother to begin with, and the chosen heir for their family legacy which she totally agreed on.

   “I’m still thinking about that… After all, he no longer believed in love after Gina…” Christine paused after mentioning that name, it was a taboo term in which the whole household falls into silence after just hearing nor mentioning that name.

   Angelica fell into a prolonged silence before eventually tightening her hold onto her mother’s hand, reassuring her silently through her actions.

   “He doesn’t need her, what he needs is a woman who will devote her love and care for him. A woman who will make him realize that Gina isn’t the only one who can keep his heart.” Angelica smiled after she spoke, her tone lighting the mood with confidence that made her mother stifle a laugh at her daughter’s predicament. Although, what she said may have some sense for the matter, what she said isn’t entirely wrong.

   “I suppose, since he is already on the proper age to get married.” Christine thought out loud, mumbling as she had her fingers propped underneath her chin.

   It took a few moments until she was startled in surprise when her daughter suddenly clapped her hands together in excitement as she sprung up from her seat, her expression lit up light lights on a holiday tree in Christmas eve.

   “I got it!” Angelica spoke as she squealed in excitement before Christine grabbed her arm and made her sit down.

   “You got what? What is it?” Christine questioned, eager to know just what is it that caused her daughter to be all worked up about.

   Angelica simply gave her mother a devious grin.

   

   “What he needs is a fiancé! Having the urge to gain responsibility through love is one of the most effective ways in order to tame his abrupt behavior. I heard from my classmate in France that wealthy households often hold fiancé candidacy events in order to find a perfect match for their sole heirs. I’ve also heard that falling in love gives them a sense of responsibility to be a better version of themselves, proven and tested!” Angelica spoke in glee as she crossed her arms while explaining.

   

   Christine hesitated, looking at her daughter while processing everything that she has said just now.

   “Are you implying that we should hold a fiancé candidacy event for your Brother?” Christine questioned, trying to see if she actually catches up on what her daughter was basically implying, or if she’s getting too old to process whatever the youngsters have in their bizarre minds.

   “Yes! If it worked with my friends then it will definitely work on Brother!” Angelica smirked to herself after she spoke, thinking about how brilliant she was to have thought about that. “Gosh, why haven’t I thought of this before?” she mumbled to herself in question, slightly annoyed of the fact that she has known of the information just now would be helpful.

   “Are you sure about this, Angelica? You know how much your brother hates it when we make such decisions—”

   “But who knows? Maybe, he’ll find true love!” Angelica squealed after cutting off her mother mid-sentence which Christine doesn’t seem to mind. “I’m going to get it ready!” Angelica spoke once again before hastily standing back onto her feet with excitement and rushed over to her Father’s study for who knows what business she’ll do.

   A sigh left Christine’s lips although with a smile. “I’ll prepare a list of possible candidates then.” She mumbled to herself and gracefully stood on her feet before calling a maid to clean her tea set as she made her way up the grand light of stairs and into her bedroom from one of the large halls of the villa.

   “Madame?” A maid questioned after Christine entered her room, she headed straight to her desk and took out a few bundles of sheets which was kept inside one of the drawers underneath the desk.

   “It’s late, you should get some rest.” The maid suggested, watching her madame in concern.

   

   “My daughter and I will hold a fiancé candidacy event for Antony, I have no time to rest knowing that my son’s future is at stake. Quick, help me prepare, if you are free?” she strictly spoke with utmost leniency and elegance, although in question.

   The maid hurriedly rushed to her Madame’s side and lowered her head in sheer respect.

   “What is it, that I may be of service to you, Madame?” she questioned, preparing herself mentally for whatever task which the woman will give her. For it is her duty to lessen the burden and workload in which her Madame is carrying and hold responsible to. “State your command, and I will obey.” She spoke once more, it was commonly one of the best-known lines of servitude especially in wealthy households like the Valencia household after all, it is a matter of respect and professionalism to their roles in the household.

   “By the break of dawn, I want to see the master list of all young ladies in the social circle which is related and beneficial for the Valencia household. I will choose by then.” She spoke, and the maid immediately nodded.

   “Yes, Madame, consider it done.” The maid gave a bow of respect before leaving her Madame’s room, focused on the task given to her.

   “Son… I hope you understand that Mommy’s doing it for your sake…” she mumbled to herself and picked up a glass dip pen, dipping it onto a bottle of black ink and began writing in a piece of paper.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

   “Boss! I have some juicy news!” a man in his mid-20s spoke out loud in one of the many hallways of the facility. A big grin over his expression as he managed to arrive in one of the rooms at the end of that hallway. Panting as the doors automatically slid open upon his arrival, he rested his palms over his bent knees while recovering his breath. A tall man stood in the middle of the room filled with security monitors. He seemed to be in his late 40s so it seems, he tilted his head slightly to gaze behind him before fully turning his body to gaze over at the man who spoke to him.

   “Oh? That news of yours should better be worth my time, Cristopher.” The tall man spoke in a brief monotone, the tone which got the younger man, known as Cristopher, to lower his head in sheer respect to his superior.

   “It will be, sir.” Christopher spoke in a subtle manner before he straightened his posture, and gazed up to his superior’s eyes with sheer confidence this time.

   “I heard from the moles we have in the Valencia Household saying that the Madame and Young Missy plans to hold a fiancé candidacy for the Young Master. It seems to me that there is another underlying reason to this than just finding a suitable daughter-in-law.” Cristopher spoke in an urgent tone, though his tone was dripping with evident unsatisfied curiosity.

   The tall man placed a finger under his chin in thought. He had long wanted to take action against his biggest foe and the schematic event could be his key into getting back at the Valencia Household.

   For various reasons.

   

   “I see… it seems that the news really is worth my time. You can go back now.” The tall man waved his hand to dismiss him. Cristopher gave a bow of respect and turned to walk away, leaving his superior to gaze back at the numerous monitors in front of him. All of them displaying the footages of confidential places inside the VGC or also known as Valencia Group of Companies.

   A slight grin was evident on his expression as he placed one hand on one of the numerous screens, caressing the screen in front of him. “The Gods are really on my side this time. The moment of waiting has come to an end at last…” he spoke to himself in triumph.

   He then drawn his hand back and crossed his arms together whilst observing the footages once more. “It’s about time that I take back what’s rightfully mine…” he spoke once more before turning around and leaving the room completely.