The Rise of the Legendary Santhigar

Chapter 12: His Savior

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 poor—those who couldn’t afford legal defense.

He also served as the exclusive family lawyer of the current governor.

Every lawyer, including Javier, knew it was suicide to go against him.

He had never lost a single case.

Javier swallowed hard. He quickly gathered his things and left without another word.

Zoriel, though confused, could only watch as Javier rushed out of the room — like he had just seen a ghost the moment he realized who the man really was.

Once they were alone, Michael took the seat across from Zoriel.

He cleared his throat and looked at him.

“I’m sorry if I was late, Mr. Del Cruz. We’ve been looking for you. Good thing I got here in time. Did you tell him anything about the case?”

Zoriel slowly shook his head.

“I haven’t said anything yet. But… why are you looking for me? Why are you helping me now? I don’t even know you.”

Michael gave a small smile.

“Ms. Crystal Benitez sent me, Mr. Del Cruz. As soon as she found out you were in trouble, she didn’t hesitate to send me here.”

Zoriel was even more confused.

He didn’t know anyone named Crystal Benitez.

He couldn’t recall shaking hands with or even meeting anyone with that name.

“I… don’t know her.”

“It’s okay. You’ll meet her eventually. But for now, we need to get you out of here.”

Zoriel swallowed hard.

“Can you really do that, Sir?”

“Of course. Don’t worry. We’ll help you until the very end.”

Zoriel finally breathed easier.

Truth be told, he had no idea how he was going to fight the case Alfred filed against him.

First of all, he didn’t have the money to hire a decent lawyer to defend him.

He had almost fallen into their trap—if Mr. Thompson hadn’t arrived in time.

“T-Thank you, Sir. But… I don’t have money.”

“It’s alright. Ms. Benitez doesn’t want monetary payment. She only asks that you help her in another way.”

Zoriel frowned.

“What way?” he asked, puzzled. “I don’t have anything. I’m just a jeepney driver.”

Michael’s expression turned serious.

“You’ll help her break free from the elemental being that’s possessing her.”

Meanwhile...

“What did you say?! Who’s helping him?”

Alfred’s nostrils flared in anger, practically steaming with rage.

He couldn’t believe his lawyer had come back bearing bad news.

“M-Mr. Thompson, Mayor! I’m sorry. But… it looks like we’re going to have a hard time with this case,” Javier stammered.

Alfred slammed his hand against the table beside his hospital bed.

It was true that Alfred had lost consciousness, but he hadn’t gone comatose.

He had simply chosen to remain in the hospital longer to intensify the charges they were filing against Zoriel.

He still couldn’t accept that Zoriel had escaped that night.

Whatever helped him—Alfred was sure it wasn’t normal.

That’s why his anger only grew deeper.

“Why? Who is this Mr. Thompson?” Jessa asked, confused.

Javier looked at her like she’d lost her mind.

“You don’t know him? Everyone fears Mr. Thompson—and his boss! No one dares go up against them, in court or in life.”

Jessa scoffed and shook her head.

“Gosh, Javier! Who could possibly outrank our Mayor, huh? You know how powerful the Santiago family is!”

Alfred groaned.

“Stop it, Jessa. You don’t understand anything.”

Jessa frowned harder.

“Babe, don’t tell me you’re scared of them too?”

Alfred gave her a cold, sharp look.

“I’m not. But I do need to be careful.”

“Exactly! So what are we waiting for? Let’s give Zoriel what he deserves!”

Alfred clenched his fists.

Jessa had no idea who they were really up against.

But he wouldn’t back down.

Zoriel had dared to disrespect him— and he didn’t care who was helping him now.

He would make him pay.