Lawrence was talking to Justine now, but he still couldn't forget the reason Sharlene cried like that.
His suspicion was right: Sharlene had a connection to the Gonzalez family. He glanced at Justine, who was busy examining the papers laid out before him.
He hesitated to reveal that the cousin Justine had been searching for all along... had already been found.
"Lawrence, please, keep it a secret. I don't want other people to know my true self. I'm still not sure I can accept the truth."
That was Sharlene's last request before she returned to the city. He knew Justine would eventually find out, but breaking that promise still weighed heavily on him. He sighed.
"What are you thinking about now, Lawrence?" Justine asked, noticing the distant look on his face.
"Oh, nothing really," he replied, adjusting his sitting position.
Justine stared at him. "Do you know something?"
Lawrence kept quiet, then forced a smile. "When have I ever kept secrets from you, right?"
"Really?" Justine raised a brow, shifting his position as well.
Lawrence nodded casually. For a moment, Justine just watched him, as if trying to gauge whether he was lying.
"Well, whatever. I'll know if you're hiding something," Justine muttered. "How's your investigation going?"
Lawrence welcomed the change in topic—it kept him from exposing the truth too soon.
"I have a small lead so far," Justine replied.
"And what is it?"
"That Atienza has a connection to the head of the Santiago family," Justine said, staring at him intensely.
Lawrence furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"There's something shady about Don Nacario Raymundo Santiago. I've heard some stories—whether they're true or just rumors—about his involvement in a big organization related to drugs and such."
Lawrence's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"But… how could he be involved in that? He's a wealthy man."
Justine leaned forward. "That's just my theory. I was thinking about it after I saw him at the hospital. I followed Sheila the other day. I got curious—and sure enough, I spotted the old man."
He handed over photos of Sheila and Raymundo Santiago together.
"I had my spy help me. I've been juggling too much on my plate lately," Justine added.
Lawrence looked through the photos.
"Felicia Rosario is also involved in this. She knew Raymundo Santiago from way back—when the father and son had a dispute about your cousin, before Leah Martinez went missing."
Another set of photos showed Felicia with Manuel's father. Lawrence furrowed his brows again.
"That Leah mansion—it's the Martinez family's ancestral home, right? And now Felicia Rosario owns it," Justine said.
"Where did you get all this?" Lawrence asked.
Justine smiled. "I stay sharp while doing my job. Plus, trust the old folks more than our generation. They remember everything." He even winked.
"All this goes back decades?" Lawrence asked, still trying to take it all in.
"Yep. You know how our clans were—caught up in scandals. I also know a veteran journalist from back in the day. But everyone's being cautious. Their families could be at risk."
Lawrence shook his head. He, too, had suspicions about Manuel Santiago's father.
Sharlene's grandfather, he reminded himself silently.
"By the way, the Rosarios had an adopted child—she was just a kid back then, right?" Justine asked.
Lawrence didn't look surprised. "Yeah. Why?"
"You know her, don't you?"
"Yes. She was my friend when we were young."
"She's Martin Francisco's wife, right?"
"Ex-wife," Lawrence corrected him.
"Okay, ex-wife. I'm their lawyer, remember?"
"So? Have they finally separated?"
Justine laughed. "No. Sharlene hasn't shown up for the summons. If she keeps that up, they'll stay legally married."
"Hm." Lawrence nodded. He knew Justine had a point.
"Hey, don't blame me," Justine grinned. "Besides, Martin barely bothers my office anymore. He doesn't even demand the divorce papers."
"Maybe they'll get back together," Justine teased.
Lawrence scowled. "Ridiculous. They don't love each other."
"Oh? You know something?" Justine asked, smirking. "You really like your childhood friend, huh?"
He laughed at Lawrence's reaction, then leaned back.
"Okay, let's get back to the real topic. Not your tragic love story," he said. "Did you ever notice that bracelet she wore?"
"I don't remember her wearing any bracelet."
"How many years have you known each other?"
"Maybe six or seven," Lawrence replied, trying to recall.
"And you didn't notice?" Justine said aloud. "Maybe she's my cousin."
Yes, she is, Lawrence thought to himself.
"Why do you think that?" he asked, wanting to hear Justine's logic.
"That child disappeared when her parents died. Our family searched for her. My father believed she was hidden by the Santiagos. But why did Felicia Rosario adopt a child at that time? And why didn't she know her real identity?" Justine pondered aloud.
Lawrence nodded. Justine had a point. Sharlene was starting to remember things—but she couldn't fully accept it yet.
"Maybe you should do a DNA test. That way you'd know if you and Sharlene are really cousins."
"Sharlene," Justine repeated her name slowly. "Sharlene Ellena S.E.," he muttered, remembering what was engraved on the bracelet. He stared at Lawrence.
"That's possible. Maybe old Felicia knew the truth and wanted to marry her off to a wealthy family like the Franciscos," he added thoughtfully.
Lawrence was relieved. Justine didn't doubt him yet. But guilt still gnawed at him for keeping the truth.
It's up to you now, Drake, he thought silently.