ter

ney and Becca's attention was a strik

ccess, resembling a powerful politician or businessman. As he moved

wondering about why and how he was even here. "Did you inv

whispered back. They dared not discuss him any l

ty like everyone else, Courtney thought to herself. But th

ending his hand in greeting. Neither woman r

withdrew his hand

rely left behind," he observed,

Hernandez?" Courtney demanded

y-seventh birthday party, could I?" he repl

" Becca retorted, her voi

ttempting to diffuse the tension.

excused herself. "I think I have t

ft standing in silence, their

nandez finally murmured

u doing here?" Courtney

steadily. "It's

about the party. Why are you in the United Sta

t, i was a happy man back in Mexico, until I realize

ldn't travel from Mexico just for her birthday party; there had to be more to his arrival.

," Hernandez announced triumphan

the last thing she possibly imagine, the COO that worked with her at the subsidia

them just yet. Like Becca, she chose to

e had disrupted the party, but this was only the beginning. His plan for the night i

n he was working with, she was to deliver a glass

subtle nod, the tainted

e watercraft, her gaze fixed on the tranquil water. Clearly cr

ctors had appointed him to the subsidiary oversight and management departmen

Courtney couldn't deny that H

the role his mother played in her parents' divorce. Neither sh

nfluential businessman-even a public face

ing water, her mind wandered, dredgi

ncestry, but their deceased grandparents had mig

met Francisca, who was a cleaner at the time. It was aft

had married another women

for a moment, their dad chose to rekindle an old flame rather than save his marriage,

take it any longer and permane

inful, and Hernandez's presence only se

tress appeared, holding a silver tray wi

replied, attempting

e would do," the waitre

inch and turn to leave. "Wait..." Realizing that a distraction

contents in one go. She placed the empty glass back on the tray, her

the room, offering him an assuring smile. Half of the job was don

on't even think about it, you understand

n on the other end o

ful mother when her vision began to blur. For a few seconds, objects

l, and the figure it belonge

rtain, but she coul

d to speak, her words slurring as

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