Antonio was summoned to Bernardo’s office.

Maybe the old man heard the rhythmic click of his leather shoes. Just as Antonio reached out to knock, the door swung open.

Behind the door stood Bernardo, military cap already off. Squinting with a boozy smile, he leaned in, his breath reeking of alcohol.

“Antonio, get in here.”

Bernardo pulled him inside. Antonio had barely found his footing before the old man slammed the door shut.

The old man’s lingering, suggestive gaze instantly made the office feel too small for both of them.

“Antonio…” Bernardo pinned him into a corner, breathing hard. It was clear last night with Terrence hadn't been enough. He was still buzzing from it, and now, he was projecting all that lingering heat onto Antonio.

Antonio found it almost funny. He kept a wooden face, standing straight. He wanted to see what the old man would pull next.

“Antonio, I… had a great time last night. How about you?”

“Me?” Antonio stared into the old man’s suggestive eyes. He raised an eyebrow, faking excitement. “I had a blast too. Hehe.”

“I didn’t expect him to be… so big down there…” The old man spoke as his hand drifted toward Antonio’s trousers. Antonio grabbed the hand firmly, pretending to offer a handshake, stopping it half an inch away.

“Commander!”

“Hmm?” Bernardo was lost in the "intimacy" of the handshake.

“You want to know? Why not go try Ramon again and find out?”

“Huh?” Bernardo blinked, then laughed as he caught the drift. “Antonio, after dark, maybe I will. You want to come with me?”

“Commander…” Antonio cut him off with a serious face. “Did you forget to save Terrence’s contact info? I’m not interested in being his substitute.”

“I got it, hehe!” Bernardo pulled a small scrap of paper from his pocket and flashed it. “He left me his home address. Hehe. Want to go play with him together?”

Antonio snatched the paper. He grinned. “Not now. Maybe in a few days. We’ll have a wild time, hehe.”

Bernardo’s eyes widened. He couldn’t hide his hunger for Antonio’s sudden "interest."

“Antonio? What did you say? You mean, you’re willing to… with me and him?”

Bernardo’s voice was shaking with excitement.

“Sure. If the timing is right…” Antonio lied effortlessly. He flicked the paper. “But can I keep the address?”

“Take it. I’ve already memorized it.”

Seeing the old man give away his "favorite" man's address so easily, Antonio grew suspicious. Terrence shouldn't have given this man his real address. It was a death trap. If it were a unique handwritten note, Bernardo wouldn't just toss it away.

Did Bernardo have someone tail Terrence to get this?

Despicable. Terrence was in danger.

Antonio thought to himself: Terrence took a bullet for him in that bed last night. He owed the guy. He’d planned to compensate him with money or protection.

Now, he had to stop the old man from looking for Terrence. At least for tonight.

“Commander, don't you want to go find Ramon tonight?” Antonio pivoted the conversation.

Bernardo waved a hand and sat back down. “No. Last night with… well, with that guy who looks like you, I was satisfied. Antonio, you know it’s you I want. I’m waiting for the day you’re ready…”

“Commander…” Antonio cut the disgusting talk short again. “This is the office. Is there anything else?”

“Yes, right!” Bernardo pulled a file from his drawer. He handed it over. “Just faxed from the President’s office. It involves you. Take a look.”

Antonio scanned the document.

“Classified? Meetings with the other side? A potential summit? This is… too fast. Why weren't we told?”

Bernardo looked as frustrated as Antonio. “You didn't know either? It’s because you’re on my side now. Ricardo is ignoring you. He’s plotting with the President in secret. They only notify you when it’s done. They sent it to me first just to pretend they respect me.”

“If they don’t trust me, why appoint me as the head of security for the meeting?”

“You don’t get it?” Bernardo sneered. “I heard the other side is sending your son to the site. When the time comes, you’ll have to keep things quiet. Otherwise, your son…”

Bernardo made a throat-slitting gesture.

“Damn it!” Antonio shoved the file into his pocket. He turned and slammed the door as he left. He saw Bernardo still smiling behind him, no attempt to stop his rudeness.

Leaving the office, Antonio went straight to the National Security Bureau. In the lobby, he spotted Madam Sweet.

She pouted and walked away, clearly annoyed.

Antonio didn't care. He leaned in and whispered, “Is Mimi around? I need to use your secure line. Don’t let her see me.”

She glared at him. “Wait here.”

She marched down a long hallway, turned a corner, and shouted toward an office: “Mimi! Your cleaning is sloppy. Half an hour of solitary confinement. Watch the hygiene training tapes. I want a written self-reflection in thirty minutes.”

Antonio: “……”

When the sound of the tapes started, Madam Sweet came out. She put a finger to her lips, shushing the six staff members in the office. Then she tilted her chin, signaling Antonio to the secure room.

Antonio had been here a few times. He knew that once the door was shut, this line went straight to the President.

Or safely to Ricardo.

“Commander Ricardo, this is Antonio. I’ve seen the notice. Instructions, please.”

“Is it safe to talk?” Ricardo’s voice was sharp.

“Safe. I’m in the NSB secure room.”

“Antonio, time is running out. If we can’t sideline the Ministry of Defense, we must at least pull Brooks’ teeth. Do you understand?”

“I was about to call you about that.” Antonio chuckled. He briefed him on the trap he and Garrison had set in the underground chamber. They were just waiting for Bernardo to walk right into it. “It would be perfect if you and the President could perform a 'surprise inspection' of the camp then.”

“Understood. I’ll try to arrange it. Stay in touch. Call my home for emergencies.”

Ricardo hung up.

Antonio borrowed Madam Sweet’s car and driver. He lay flat across the back seat, staying out of sight as the car took him through the gates and sped toward Terrence’s village.

Once they cleared the city outskirts, Antonio sat up, frowning at the bumpy road.

The driver was Stidson. Older than Antonio. Officially a driver, but actually Madam Sweet’s bodyguard. He didn't just guard her life; he guarded the state secrets she held.

In private, he and the Madam were like siblings.

Thanks to his history with the Madam, Antonio knew the NSB personnel well.

Stidson looked in the mirror and smiled. “Commander Antonio, the car is old and the road is bad. Sorry for the rough ride.”

“It’s fine… just drive.” Antonio hesitated, then asked, “Has the Madam contacted those three kids on the other side?”

Stidson slowed down. He glanced back, smiling. “I wouldn’t dare talk about the Madam’s private business. But as for you… she mentions you a lot.”

“What does she say?”

“Uh…” Stidson hesitated. “You won’t get mad?”

“Speak.”

“She calls you a bastard. Every single time.”

“Does she call me a bastard who likes men?”

“Eh?” Stidson looked back. The two men shared a look. Everything was understood.

Antonio shook his head, laughing. “She wouldn’t say that. It would make her look like she had terrible taste back then.”

“I was going to say, she seems to still care about you.”

Antonio felt a sting in his nose. “Bastard, don’t say that. She wanted the divorce. Now you’re playing peacemaker…”

“Fine!” Stidson shut up and focused on the road.

Half an hour later, the village appeared.

As the car pulled up to a brick house, Antonio saw Fabian holding his sister’s hand. The young man was dressed like a peasant, but he couldn't hide his sophisticated aura. Fabian looked panicked but tried to stay calm, eyeing the "NSB" plates on the car.

When Antonio stepped out, Fabian gasped. “You?”

Antonio didn't answer. He leaned into Fabian’s ear. “Move tonight. Don't let the neighbors see where you go. Stay away until the military mess clears up. And don't tell anyone I was here.”

Antonio shook Fabian’s hand, slipping two hundred dollars into his palm. “Vivienne said your mother is very sick. Tell your father this is a 'thank you' from me. Use it for her medicine.”

Fabian whispered a thanks. Antonio didn't look back.

He let go of Fabian’s hand, saw Terrence stepping out of the house, and ignored him. The debt was paid. He ducked back into the car.

“To Commander Ramon’s house.”

Stidson didn't ask questions. He hit the gas.

Watching the car leave, Fabian patted his sister. “Go inside. I need to talk to Dad.”

“What is it, son?” Terrence asked, confused as Fabian sent the girl away.

“Dad, did you piss off that officer?”

“You mean Antonio? Why would I?”

“No.” Fabian shook his head. “I mean your 'client'.”

“Even less likely, ha…” Terrence laughed awkwardly. Seeing his son’s grim face, he explained, “He said my service was great. Wanted a round two.”

Fabian scowled. “You agreed? You should have asked the Madam first, Dad.”

“I didn't say yes, but I didn't say no… Wait, son, how did he know our address? Did you tell the Madam?”

“I didn't tell anyone.”

Terrence turned pale. “Son, I didn't tell anyone either. How does he know where we live?”

“That’s the point!” Fabian hissed. “He told us to move under the cover of night. We’re caught in some military secret.”

Terrence’s face hardened. “Then we move. Let's pack.”

Land rent had been climbing for years. Terrence hadn't planned on farming much longer anyway. They didn't own much—just some pots, pans, grain, and blankets. The rest could be left behind.

The ox could pull the cart. They’d take the sick mother to the church hospital. Fabian had already made the arrangements.

By noon, they were packed. Fabian warned his siblings to stay quiet. He lay on the ox cart, pretending to nap.

He was racing through his thoughts. The Madam’s ex-husband is Antonio’s best friend. Did she have Dad take those naked photos of the old officer to help Antonio? Probably not. She hates Antonio. So why?

Antonio came in person to warn them. The danger is the old officer. Did Vivienne leak the photos? If she did, the old man would kill to keep it quiet.

That woman is insane!

Fabian felt a surge of resentment toward Vivienne.

If he had known she wanted naked photos, he never would have let his father do it.

But it was too late.

He decided that once they moved, he’d confront Vivienne. Why put his siblings' lives at risk?

Minutes later, he regretted the thought.

No. He couldn't handle Vivienne either. He had to swallow his anger.
…

Across the river.

Elias had sent an express letter. It reached his illiterate father a day later.

Elias’s father was playing chess at the village entrance. His daughter, the only one who could read, had been chased away by his temper. The old man ripped the letter open and barked at the mailman:

“Read it!”

The mailman was annoyed, but he knew this man was the village bully. He scanned the letter, sneered, and read it out loud.

“Dad, go propose to Elena’s family immediately. Elena knows the head of the Planning Bureau. He’s about to become Vice Mayor. Elena is getting promoted too. If we don’t lock this down, I’ll never move back to the city.”

“Pfft!” The men playing chess burst out laughing.

“What are you laughing at?” Elias’s father growled at an old man.

“I’m laughing because he’s about to lose the game. Not at you.”

Word reached Elena’s house in no time.

Elena’s mother was in the thatched kitchen, chopping vegetables while listening to her husband, Voss. She chimed in: “What? Elena is getting promoted? You sure? Last time she wrote, she was complaining about being broke!”

Voss paced the kitchen with his hands behind his back. “That’s what they’re saying. I heard Elias’s family is prepping gifts. They’ll be here soon to talk marriage.”

The mother’s eyes lit up. She put down the knife. “Voss, if it’s true, what kind of gifts will they bring? I won't take anything cheap. It wasn't easy raising her to eighteen.”

“Agreed!” Voss nodded. “But they haven't shown up yet. We can’t set terms first.”

The mother nodded thoughtfully. She was short and plump, having to look way up at her tall husband.

“Voss, our daughter… she barely talked at home. How did she go to that poor, far-off place and get noticed by a high official? Is she… selling herself?”

Voss’s face went dark. “She wouldn’t dare! I’d break her legs!”

Then Voss remembered something. “Wait. Elias’s parents said that Bureau head is already a Deputy County Chief. That’s big… we don’t even see the Town Mayor… or the finance head… heck, even a clerk wouldn't talk to us.”

Thwack!

The mother slammed the knife into the cutting board. “That little slut, ruining the family name!”

“Shut up!”

Voss glared at her like a hungry tiger. She flinched.

“Family? This is my family, not yours. As for whether she’s... selling herself, we don’t know yet. Maybe it’s just luck. Don't make a fool of me. We find out the truth first.”

“Listen. When Elias’s family comes to propose, don’t agree right away. In a few days, you go to the border yourself. See what’s really going on with her.”

The mother nodded quickly. “Right. If she’s really an official now, they have to pay more.”

“Exactly!”

Just then, Octavia, the eldest daughter, walked in humming. “Dad, Mom, is Elena really an official? How much is Elias’s family paying? We can’t sell her cheap. His sister Daisy is loaded now. Who knows where that money came from—probably some sugar daddy…”

“What? A sugar daddy? Then the price doubles!” The mother shouted, immediately following her daughter’s lead.

“So we’re selling our sister…” Octavia giggled. “Mom, lucky for you I’m not that valuable, right?”

Voss and his wife glared at her simultaneously. Octavia stuck out her tongue and turned to bolt out of the kitchen.

She ran straight into Leon, who was just coming in.

Leon didn't even spare his sister a glance. He shoved past her, craning his neck toward their parents in the thatched kitchen. “Dad, Mom, is Elena really getting married? Can the dowry money buy me a job?”

Hearing this, Octavia was fuming. She ducked into her room and immediately started a letter to Elena.

She’d rather Elena never get married than let Leon have his way.

She really thought Leon was a piece of work.