When Lillian eyes opened again, the first thing she felt was the dull sting around her wrists. She looked down and realized her hands were handcuffed to the hospital bed.

She blinked a few times. The bright white lights above her made her eyes water. Her head pounded like it was being hit from inside. Just as she tried to sit upright, the door creaked open.

A tall man stepped inside, dressed in a black hoodie and black boots. The man she saw before passing out. In his hand was a shopping bag. His brown eyes scanned her briefly before he casually walked closer and dropped the bag on her lap.

"El jefe sabe nada de esto. Todo esto cortesía de la Sra. Rose. Nos vamos en cinco minutos," he said in a low tone, his words coming fast and sharp.

[The boss knows nothing about this. This is all thanks to Ms. Rose. We're leaving in five minutes.]

She gawked at him, "I'm sorry, I don't understand Spanish... but I heard you mention Ms. Rose... right?" she stuttered weakly, sitting up gently.

Efren stared at her with scrutiny. He still couldn't shake off his disappointment. He expected someone as daring as her to have some skin on her bone but no, she was just so thin even on the day he brought to the Mansion. And now, she looked thinner all thanks to starving herself.

He was on his way to inform her the news he was asked to relay to her, just for her to faint in his arms. Jake only knows nothing about bringing her to the hospital or passing out.

His eyes trailed over her figure lazily, still unimpressed.

"We leave in five," he finally said in deep English, pulled out a small key and uncuffed her wrists, not sparing her a glance before walking out.

Lillian rubbed her wrist, groaning at the soreness in her limbs. Her stomach growled loudly, but when she opened the bag, there was no food.

Instead, there was a pressed navy-blue suit, a small packet of water, a pair of heels, and some files.

She blinked in confused, pulling out the documents. It was some thick stapled files with printed texts and a few highlighted paragraphs. But her migraine was too much. Her eyes crossed as she tried to focus on the words.

None of it made sense. Her head was spinning too badly to focus.

She cleaned herself up quickly, and dressed in the suit. The moment she was done buttoning it up, the man returned exactly after five minutes.

Efren stood by the door with his arms crossed. He gave her a single curt nod and she followed behind him. The thought of escaping did crossed her mind but seeing some men watching them as they leave the hospital, she knew what their jobs were.

They got into the car, and silence filled the space between them as he drove.

She was really starving. She glanced at Efren briefly whose gaze was on the road, then lowered her gaze back, falling on the files on her laps.

She picked it up and turned to him out of curiosity, "Uh... para... con these documents?" she asked awkwardly, trying to add little Spanish.

Efren didn't answer. Just when she was about to stop embarrassing herself, he turned the wheel and pulled into a gated building.

She squinted at the sign above. Then her heart sank.

Palacio de Justicia.

She knew those words well. They were in a courthouse. She quickly flipped open the files again, scanning the bold heading: Case No. 1047 – The Government of Spain vs. Jake Hernandez

Her lips parted.

"What are we doing here?" Her voice trembled, staring at the man beside her. Efren turned off the engine and finally looked at her.

"To defend the boss." He stepped out of the car afterwards.

Lillian didn't move. Her fingers shook around the file. She was here to defend Jake?

She didn't even remember the last time she ate, let alone felt human. And now they wanted her to walk into a courtroom and save the man who is about ruining her life?

She skimmed through the summary. There was strong evidence linking him to the crime. And worst of all, his father had already announced he had more evidence to present during the trial.

"No... no, no," she whispered, flipping through the files with trembling fingers. This was way beyond her.

She stepped out of the car in a rush, running around after Efren. "I'm not fit for this," She said behind him, her heart racing.

Right at cue, an armoured black SUV maneuvered into the parking lot. Lillian watched with her heart racing as the door opened and Jake stepped out.

Efren bowed slightly in courtesy.

He wore a fitted black suit with a black shirt underneath, no tie, just sharp and clean. A white earbud sat in one ear, and dark shades covered his eyes, but nothing could hide the scar that ran down the side of his face.

It only made him look dangerous.

When their eyes met, Lillian hastily dropped her gaze, unable to hide how intimidated she felt.

"Nice suit, Dulzura," She heard him say, making her shudder as she perceived his strong cologne approaching.

Jake sized her up with his narrowed eyes. She was thinner than before. Paler. And the way she gasped made his smirk widened. Pathetic, he thought. But useful.

He turned his gaze to Efren, who bowed again before leaving them alone.

"What are the questions you would like to ask before the trial begin?" He asked her calmly.

He expected her to look up now but she was still looking down. He was beginning to grow impatient by this pathetic act.

"I hate repeating myself," He said sternly.

Because of how scared she was, a pitiful tear fell on her right cheek, sniffling before raising her head. She blinked rapidly to maintain eye-contact through her blurry gaze.

"I-I c...can't do it," she stuttered inaudibly with her heart hammering.

He didn't respond to her words, his eyes fell on the files she was clutching in her hands.

"I didn't ask you to do it," He stepped toward her until there was barely a foot between them.

"I command it." He whispered to her ear.

Whatever she would be saying in court doesn't matter. All he wanted was for her to make an appearance and his father be present. Getting rid of that old cunt would be nothing but fulfilling his dying wish since he was a boy.

Lillian could feel her breath quickening. She doesn't want to appear in a court she once worked at.

How Jake was able to make her appear in court explains to her how far he can go to get what he wants.

"Going against my words will cost you the heads of your parents," He threatened.

He didn't need to touch her to make her bleed; his words were sharp enough. He looked past her to the CCTV positioned above them. Every move was being watched.

Mentioning her parents was a threat and she knew this well. Jake gave her no break, as if tired, grabbed her wrist and pulled her in.

She didn't struggle to get his hands off her. All her thoughts was how she could calm down and not fumble, but also filled with fear. When they arrived at the door, he let go of her hands and she wiped her tears.

After a breath, He pushed the door open without hesitation and walked in without her. She felt a strong wave of nostalgia hit her as she stared at the court. The atmosphere was tense inside. High-ranking officials, reporters, and foreign diplomats filled the gallery. The case had drawn the country attention.

Lillian stepped forward and sat at the defense bench, her heart pounding as she glanced sideways at Jake.

He looked... calm.

Too calm.

He had taken off his shades, his gray eyes flicked to her for the briefest second. His mouth twitched up in amusement. She swallowed hard before looking away.

Everyone rose to welcome the judge. Lillian had her head hung low before looking at the judge.

She stood stunned. It was Chief Judge Kingston. The judge mirrored her expression but he was quicker to recover than her.

"Court is now in session. Please, be seated," the judge says and everyone returned to their seat.

The trial went on and the prosecutor laid out horrifying details about the case and the evidence that linked to Jake.

Lillian was distracted the whole time, then it was her turn to defend the charges. She rose hesitantly, turning slightly to face the evidence board.

Just as she was about to open her mouth, the bailiff approached the judge and whispered something. The judge frowned.

His eyes met Lillian's before looking down at the documents on his desk. The change in his aura was evident and heavy silence followed.

"The case is dismissed," He announced and Lillian's eyes widened. She turned to Jake, found him to be clenching his jaw with his tight fist on the desk.

He looked so furious. Murmurs filled the room as the judge hitted the gavel before leaving the courtroom.

Lillian stood frozen in place, confused. Her eyes were still fixed on the judge's bench, trying to make sense of what just happened.

Why dismiss the case?

Before she could piece anything together, Jake walked toward her in long firm strides. His jaw was tight, his eyes cold. He looked anything but relieved.

"What's happening?" she asked carefully as he reached her.

He should be pleased that the case was dismissed but he looked upset. Instead, he grabbed her hand tight and started dragging her out of the courtroom.

"Wait... Mr. Hernandez!" she called, stumbling behind him. His pace was fast, and she could barely keep up, but he didn't slow down.

They got to the parking lot, and just ahead, Lillian saw Chief Judge Kingston standing by a black car as if he was waiting for someone.

She slowed, when their eyes met and he mouthed some words to her. She squinted, focusing hard on his lips.

Then he raised his hand, shaped like a phone, and mouthed one word again: "Telecom."

Telecom?

Her eyes widened a little as she grasped the message. He was trying to tell her something. But before she could react, Jake opened the car door. A sleek black vehicle had pulled up beside them.

She didn't give any sign of acknowledgement to the judge and simply climbed into the car, Jake sliding in beside her.

The chauffeur shut the door and drove off immediately. The atmosphere in the car is intense.

The car rolled to a slow stop in front of a massive white mansion and Jake stepped out right at that instant. Lillian remained in the car, wondering what was happening.

High walls topped with coiled barbed wire and surveillance cameras at every corner of the house. The garden was neatly trimmed, the yard too spacious to be a family home. The garage looked more like a luxury car dealership.

She finally alighted slowly after the car was parked in the garage, her eyes drinking in the new surroundings. Everything about the place screamed wealth and power. She didn't recognize the house, but she guessed it must be the place she'd been brought to while unconscious. She hadn't seen the outside until now.

She moved hesitantly toward the entrance, her heels clicking softly on the stone pathway. As she reached the front door, a loud crash echoed through the house, followed by a piercing scream.

"I swear, all I wanted was to help you, Jake! I couldn't stand by and watch my fiancé being dragged to court!" a woman screamed in Spanish.

Lillian froze with her heart leapt to her throat. She didn't understand what the woman said, but fear and desperation was laced in her voice.

She peeked into the house and saw her, a beautiful woman in a black glittering dress, standing behind a couch like it was a shield.

Lillian took a step inside hesitantly, watching the scene unfolded before her. Jake stood on the other side of the couch, his expression thunderous.

"Why the fvck did you intervene?!" He growled, his voice fiery and full of rage.

The woman cowered, her hands raised slightly. "I'm sorry! Please, forgive me. My love for you blinded me...."

"And that will send you to your early grave." Jake declared with a growl before pulling out a gun.

Lillian gasped audibly from where she stood, her wide eyes on the gun. Her legs were trembling. The woman screamed again in fear, and for a moment, it looked like Jake would actually shoot.

"Miguel!" An older woman's voice rang out. He froze mid-movement. The tension in the room thinned but didn't vanish.

Lillian turned her head and saw a woman, probably in her late forties, descending slowly down a wheelchair ramp. Her skin was brown, her hair braided neatly, and she moved with quiet authority.

Jake didn't turn immediately. He stood there, jaw clenched, his hand still gripping the gun. The woman before him had run for dear life after the old woman showed up.

When the old woman reached the bottom of the ramp, Jake finally turned, keeping his gun back in the holster. And for the first time, Lillian saw something entirely unfamiliar on his face.

A smile.

A soft one.

"You should be resting, momma," he said gently in Spanish, squatting before the wheelchair. He took her hand and kissed it with surprising tenderness, although his breath was still erratic.

Lillian stood in stunned silence. Momma? That was his mother? There was no resemblance at all. And yet, the effect she had on him was undeniable.

They exchanged a few words in Spanish. Lillian kept watching them until the front door opened. The man who took her to the court walked in, silent as always, his face neutral.

Their eyes met, and Lillian gave him a small tight-lipped smile. He didn't return it.

Efren walked over to Jake and bent to whisper something in his ear. Jake nodded slowly, then moved behind his mother's wheelchair and pushed her gently toward another hallway.

"You should learn to control your anger, Miguel," his mother said in English as they passed while Lillian's eyes followed them.

The woman looked peaceful and nothing like her son. Jake said nothing, only kept pushing.

Lillian exhaled, she had been holding her breath without realizing it. She entered the room further and found the maid who brought her food in the basement.

"Hey," She called.

Olivia was walking past carrying a tray of dirty plates. She was visibly surprised to see Lillian standing there, looking all fit and also wearing a designer suit.

"Hi," She said cautiously. She thought that Lillian was at the hospital since Efren took her there late last night. Why was she cleaned up to this level.

"I didn't get to tell you my name. I'm Lily,"

"Olivia." She responded, her eyes sizing her up before entering the kitchen. Lillian gulped before following her.

"Is there something I can eat?" She asked politely. She was really starving but there was a shift in Olivia's demeanor.

"You can warm the leftovers in the microwave," She replied flatly.

"I'm a vegan," Lillian informed her. She had many questions to ask her but the way she wasn't being rude and friendly made her swallow her words.

Olivia turned around with a dramatic smile, "Really? Tell me more about yourself," she said with exaggerated interest.

"Oh, wait. Are you going to tell me how you suddenly get to be on Mr. Hernandez's good side for him to gift you Hernan Luxe? Is that it?"

Lillian blinked. "I was asked to wear this to court. I'm a lawyer. I had to look presentable in court," she explained, then saw the relievedness in Olivia's eyes.

"Is that it?" She asked again to be sure, scratching the back of her head and Lillian nodded.

Her aura changed again before she flashed Lillian a grin, "I'll make you some vegetable stir-fry rice and tofu."

She was about to tell her that she could make it herself when Efren walked in.

"Bring her food to the room when it's ready," He told Olivia, who nodded. He gestured for Lillian to follow him and she did.

She made sure to remain silent. They climbed the stairs and stopped at a door that looked like it hadn't been opened in years.

"Clean it yourself," Efren said, turning to leave.

"Did Mr. Hernandez order me to be brought here?" she asked.

Efren looked at her, gave a single reluctant nod, and turned again.

"I'm Lillian. What about you?" She asked.

She wanted to start by making friends with the household... no allies.

"Not important," He replied.

"Well, thank you, Mr. Always-Frowning for taking me to the hospital."

Efren paused, turning slightly.

"It was Ms. Rose," he said, then walked away.

Lillian frowned. That name again. He had mentioned it before. Who was this Ms. Rose?

Her thoughts churned, recalling what the chief judge mouthed to her. But for now, if she wanted to escape or find her way back to safety, she needed to play smart.

Her gaze shifted toward the hallway Jake had taken his mother through. If anyone could change his mind, it was that woman.

A plan started to form in her mind; get close to the woman who could melt his heart.