"Who are you?" Martin demanded, eyeing the man who was casually wandering around the mansion once owned by Sharlene's grandmother.
The stranger sized him up coolly. "I should be asking you that. Who are you?"
Martin narrowed his eyes. He had only come here because he'd heard Sharlene was visiting. But this encounter was unexpected—and irritating.
"Who let you into this house?" Martin asked, his tone sharper now.
"I could ask you the same question. Why are you here?"
Martin chuckled dryly, his patience thinning. "Do you want me to have you arrested?"
"Go ahead," the man replied without blinking.
Martin clenched his fists. He wasn't here to pick a fight, especially not when he had more important things to worry about—like keeping tabs on Sheila. He needed to act normal in front of her, swallow his pride, and play it cool.
"Leave now, while I'm still being polite," Martin warned.
"Why should I? I was invited here by the owner."
"Invited? Who?"
The man gave a smirk. "If you don't know, maybe you're the one who shouldn't be here."
Martin was about to snap when he heard footsteps from the second floor.
"Lawrence, we need to leave now," said a familiar voice.
Sharlene appeared, arms full of documents. She didn't even glance at Martin.
"You need to see this," she told the man beside her.
Martin's eyebrows shot up. He finally caught her attention.
"Sharlene," he said coldly, "what are you doing here?"
She paused. "Martin? I could ask you the same thing." Then she sighed. "No, never mind. I already know."
Martin crossed his arms. "Right. And while your daughter's lying in a hospital bed, you're off running around with some guy."
Sharlene's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying?"
He laughed bitterly. "Come on. Before we even got married—are you sure I'm Ashley's father? Maybe he is." He pointed accusingly at Lawrence.
"Stop it," Lawrence said firmly. "Sharlene and I were never involved. And unlike you, I've never betrayed her."
"Don't push your guilt onto me, Martin," Sharlene snapped.
Lawrence took a step forward. "Nice to finally meet you, Martin Chris Francisco. Ex-husband of my childhood friend."
Martin's expression darkened. "How do you know my name?"
"Why wouldn't I? Families like yours are well-known around San Mateo," Lawrence replied. "Lawrence Dennis Salazar."
Salazar? Martin blinked. That's a Martinez relative... His suspicions were mounting.
Before he could react further, Lawrence gently took Sharlene's arm. "Let's go."
Martin stood frozen as the two left, his thoughts racing. What is she hiding?
He smirked. Let's find out.
He waited until their car disappeared down the road, then followed discreetly in his own vehicle, stopping some distance away from an old warehouse. He watched as they got out. Sharlene seemed to be searching for something.
"Sharlene, what are we doing here?" Lawrence asked.
Martin crept closer, careful not to be seen.
"Carmela and Donald had a child, right?" Sharlene said suddenly.
Martin's frown deepened. That's what caused the Santiago-Gonzalez fallout...
Sharlene pulled out a bracelet. "I found this in my grandma's cabinet."
"Is there a name?"
"Just initials—'S.E.'"
"What does it mean?"
Sharlene stared at it, as if unlocking a memory. "Ellena... That was their daughter's name."
Suddenly, she clutched her head. "Ah—" she winced.
"Sharlene!" Lawrence rushed to her side as she collapsed in his arms.
Martin tensed, debating whether to step in. Then he heard Lawrence pull out his phone.
"Drake, we need to meet. I've got something important. It might help us find your missing cousin."
Martin's curiosity burned hotter. Missing cousin? Carmela and Donald's child... could Sharlene—?
He waited in the shadows until they drove off, carrying the unconscious Sharlene and her newly found documents. He stepped out of hiding and stared at the abandoned warehouse.
His mind replayed everything he'd overheard.
Bracelets, missing heirs, family scandals...
What have you gotten yourself into now, Sharlene?