CHAPTER 6

She was awakened from her profound slumber at three o'clock in the afternoon. She was hungry and went to the kitchen to get something to eat, but she lost her appetite when she saw the nasty witch!

"We need to speak, Ella," Paloma explained.

Daniella lifted her eyebrows at Paloma as she sat in her chair. "As far as I am concerned, there is nothing to discuss." She refused to be referred to as Mama or Mother. She despised Paloma ever since she became a member of her family.

"Do you recall what was written in Greg's final will and testament?" Her purpose was not to anger Daniella, but her apathy compelled her to be a cruel stepmother.

"That I would receive nothing until I have a child? You are aware that this is ludicrous, Madam."

"Indeed, that was ridiculous. However, our arrangement was not," she reminded her of the wager they made that day.

Daniella gave an impolite grin. "Well, see," she responded confidently, but on the heart, she prayed Marcus was strong enough to make her pregnant in only one attempt.

Otherwise...

"Pardon me, Miss Paloma, Miss Daniella, but Attorney Elarcosa was in the living room and he indicated that it was essential." Patty, one of the domestic staff, alerted both ladies of the solicitor's arrival.

"Please direct him to the library; we'll meet him there." Paloma was the first to recover from the shock of the solicitor's unexpected arrival after the will had already been read.

Daniella was intrigued by the solicitor's surprise visit and decided to accompany Paloma to the library.

"It's wonderful to see both of you," Attorney Jaime Elarcosa greeted the woman who had just arrived in Greg's library to join him.

"Likewise, Attorney. How about you? How have you been?" Daniella inquired of the elderly gentleman who was seated in her father's enormous swivel chair.

"Please have a seat," he requested.

"Is there a problem, attorney?" Paloma was taken aback by his facial expression, which indicated that something was wrong.

"I'd want to begin by apologizing to you, Ella dear. It's unpleasant to admit, but I made an error when I read Greg's final will and testament." He proceeded to explain, and both women nodded.

“Mistake? What do you mean?" Daniella inquired evasively.

"I neglected to read your father's amended will a few weeks before he died," he said.

"Hmm, attorney, why don't you read it now?" Daniella crossed her legs as she awaited the solicitor's reading to begin.

She prayed for Paloma's soul as the attorney began reciting her father's final will and testament. She was well aware that the woman will erupt in wrath and may attempt suicide as a result of her defeat.

However, there were no significant revisions to the will. Paloma nevertheless received what she deserved, and Daniella was enraged. She desired to question as to what had become of Gregory's condition that she must fulfill before inheriting anything, but refrained.

However, it still took her breath away that the most desired home on a remote beach with the greatest seaview in Oslob was suddenly hers. Her father adored the lovely and wispy Paloma Murillo, which caused her to wonder that the home would be handed on to his second wife.

"He was very wealthy, attorney!" Daniella responded to the fact that her trust fund included a whopping fifty million dollars.

"Ella, he is a prudent investor."

"However, what became of the condition specified in his original testament?" Either the solicitor neglected to say it or she did not hear it previously.

"Greg was joking at the time," he said, smiling as he recalled his friend's expression that day.

“Meaning?” Daniella pressed him on his assertion that her father was joking at the time.

"That is, you are not required to have a child to receive anything. With regards to the cash, you now have complete access to it," he continued, handing her a passbook.

However, Daniella couldn't care less about the amount of money in her passbook. She was deaf to everything and could only think of the rash mistake she had taken in Hong Kong with Marcus Madrigal. Not only was it irresponsible, but it was a complete nightmare!

"Are you all okay, Ella?" Paloma inquired when she observed her pallor.

"I am OK," she said. However, she may be OK despite having lost her virginity to Marcus and the possibility of being pregnant soon!

When attorney Jaime Elarcosa completed his work as Gregory's solicitor, he waved farewell. "I'm only a phone call away, ladies, if you need me."

Paloma nodded, but her gaze remained fixed on Ella. Her maternal instincts alerted her to the fact that something was wrong with Daniella. "Is there something wrong?" she said in the tone of a mother speaking to her children.

Daniella's standard reaction to Paloma's enquiry was "none of your business," and she stormed out of the library to be alone.

Paloma choked back her cries as she watched Daniella go away. She had been patient with her for twenty years, but Greg's daughter was still refusing to accept her. Karma was a scumbag, and she got exactly what she deserved for abandoning her own child in favour of Ella. Perhaps it’s time for her to return to her own family.

Daniella, on the other hand, has taken a place in her heart, and she couldn't abandon her, especially given Gregory's recent death. The only reason she desired complete control over their riches was to punish her. Paloma felt certain that Daniella would achieve a great deal without her money. She was deep in thinking about how to win Daniella's heart when her phone rang.

"When are you coming home, Ma? I'm missing you."

"I'm sorry, Lilian. Greg recently died, and I am unable to leave Daniella alone," she stated, but her daughter shouted and refused to listen, then hung up. Lilian was very justified in being enraged with her. That was exactly what any daughter would do!