Zoriel clenched his fists.He glared at Javier.“What are you trying to do here, huh?!” he snapped.Javier avoided his gaze. He grabbed the iPad from the table and shoved it into his bag.“You’re making a mistake, Mr. Del Cruz! I’m your lawyer!” he insisted.“Then explain this to me!”Zoriel slammed Javier’s resume on the table. Javier glanced at the paper briefly, then looked away again.The man beside Zoriel smirked.“See? I think it’s time for you to leave now, Mr. Sanchez.”Javier glared at the man who had suddenly entered.“You’ll both regret this! You don’t know who you’re dealing with!”The man nodded calmly. He pulled something from the inside of his jacket and placed it on the table.“You can call the governor’s office anytime.”Javier froze. He stared at the business card, then picked it up.“You…”He looked at the man in disbelief.“You’re Mr. Thompson? Michael Thompson?”“Yes,” Michael answered proudly.Michael Thompson was a renowned lawyer.He was famous for helping the

“Damn, bro! This house is huge!” Caloy exclaimed in disbelief, mouth agape and eyes wide with amazement.The awe was written all over his face.Even Zoriel couldn’t believe what he was seeing.This was probably the biggest house he had ever laid eyes on.It was a two-story mansion. The front was paved in concrete and surrounded by neatly arranged plants. From the outside, its grand and modern design was clearly visible.For people like them who grew up in the squatters' area, it was nothing short of astonishing.Zoriel lightly tapped Caloy’s arm.“Close your mouth. A fly might fly in,” he joked.Caloy quickly obeyed, then shot Zoriel a glare.“Do you think there’s a lot of food inside?”“Will you stop? You're embarrassing,” Zoriel scolded.Caloy just laughed and moved closer to his friend.“Please follow me, sir,” Mr. Thompson said.The two of them followed him into the mansion.Just like the exterior, the interior was undeniably luxurious. From ceiling to floor, everything gleamed. T

“Damn, bro! That was amazing! I didn’t know you had superpowers!” Caloy said in awe.Zoriel walked silently beside him, still struggling to process everything that had happened.Whatever had possessed Crystal—he had managed to drive it out using his necklace. The necklace he inherited from his grandfather.“How did you even do that, bro? Teach me, will you?”Zoriel let out a breath and slipped the necklace back on. “You were almost peeing yourself in fear a while ago.”Caloy chuckled sheepishly. “Well, she was scary! Ms. Crystal looked completely different—she got so ugly!” he said, still half-laughing. “But really, are you sure you’re not going to take what Sir offered you? That reward? You’re seriously turning it down?”Zoriel sighed again. After banishing the spirit, Mr. Benitez had promised to reward him. But he didn’t stick around to accept anything. He was too embarrassed, feeling like he hadn’t really done anything to deserve it.“That’s not important to me. What matters is t

“Let go of my brother!”Everyone’s heads snapped toward the door when a woman’s voice rang out.Zoriel lit up the moment he saw his sister—and Lily—storming into the house. Lily flew straight toward him, while Zenaida stepped in with a bolo pointed at the barangay officers holding Zoriel. Just like the last time he saw her, she wore a long skirt and a plain t-shirt, a backpack slung on her back, and a small sling bag on her side. A sheath for her bolo was tied around her waist. Her wrists were stacked with handmade bracelets, and just like him, she wore a necklace, though hers was smaller and etched with an eye inside a triangle.“Let him go unless you want your hands chopped off!” Zenaida threatened.“Zoriel! What is going on here?” Lily asked as she landed beside him. “Is this your wife again?”Zoriel exhaled hard. He stood straight when the officers finally let go of him.“Zenaida.”“Who are these people, Zoriel? And why are they messing with you?” Zenaida asked, not lowering her w

Zoriel could only shake his head as he set the food on the table. Zenaida and Lily were still going on and on about his so-called destiny.He hated to admit it, but after what happened with Crystal, he was starting to have second thoughts."Are you even listening, Zoriel?" Zenaida asked, her brow raised.Zoriel finally sat down and looked at his sister, who was already eating without waiting for anyone else.Even Lily had dug in—she was practically hovering over her plate mid-air as she devoured her food."Yes. And still, it's impossible. I'm not a Santhigar, Zenaida. Weren't you the healer? The albularyo? Why not you?" Zoriel said as he started eating.Zenaida swallowed before looking him straight in the eye."Because I wasn’t the chosen one, Zoriel. No matter what we say or do, it’s you. You were the one chosen to continue Lolo’s legacy."Zoriel let out a deep sigh."Alright. Let’s say you’re right. But how am I supposed to do any of this? I have no idea what I’m doing.""Your neckl