The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 33: Twisted Discoveries

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While Sera perused a company with her charm, Ann did not expect their plans back in Castillo High to be delayed when, the Lobris family's butler and driver, unexpectedly picked Ann up according to her father's wishes - a variable that frustrated Ann as they were straying from the day's supposed schedule and plan.

"Kuya, s'an daw tayo pupunta?" Ann asked anxiously, trying to think of a way she could communicate to the boys that they have to delay their "plan" due to this unforeseeable event.

"He told me to bring you to Gracía's Grill, madame." The butler responded earnestly, with Ann letting out a heavy breath.

"Sinabi ba niya kung para saan kuya?"

"No, Ma'am."

Ann leaned back on her seat in frustration, wondering what on earth could her father be up to.

When the limousine finally entered through the lot of a fancy-looking grill and resto, Ann was almost restless as she looked out of the car window.

Mayroong garden at maliit na park sa loob ng restaurant, with waiters situated at every corner.

One of the waiters waiting did not need to ask the name of Ann, merely guiding her inside the restaurant which had a warm, cozy ambience - people dining with hearty conversations.

"Ah, Annaliese!" Sambit ng ama ni Ann as soon as the waiter led her to one of the bigger and fancier tables inside the place.

"Dad, anong meron??" Kunot-noong tanong ni Ann, glancing at the man seated next to her father. She then quickly noticed that there were four seats, one of which was unoccupied.

"Annaliese, meet Mr. Marcuz," Her dad proudly introduced her to the man next to him, a man with a clean-cut face, intimidating posture, and a charming smile.

Ann deduced that the man was in his 50s, noting that he had a few graying hair here and there. He also seemed like a dignified man with his well-pressed suit, which Ann wasn't anymore surprised.

Most of her father's friends were all the same anyway - rich and old like the man in front of him.

"Pleased to meet you Annaliese, I've heard great things about you." Ngiti ng matanda, and Ann responded with a polite smile as she seated in front of them.

She couldn't figure out why, but the man seemed so familiar to her in some way.

"You see Annaliese, me and Mr. Marcuz here have been good friends for a while, and decided that well, we want the best for both our families." The senator said, looking at his daughter with a gaze that Ann was familiar with, an expression that meant she must behave, or else.

"Hmhmm?" Ann nodded bleakly, not knowing why it was so important that her father had to introduce her to this man.

"Well, I won't be beating around the bush anymore." Sambit ng kaniyang ama, puffing his chest.

"Annaliese, Mr. Marcuz and I have been dicussing this for a while now. We've decided that it's best for both our families and businesses to unite." The man said somberly, and Ann was beginning to feel like a storm was brewing inside of her.

"And...?" She asked weakly, not liking where the conversation was going.

"And we've decided that, the best way to do that is for you to marry Mr. Marcuz's very own son, a dashing boy!" Senator Alejandro beamed. "When both of you are of age of course."

There was a pause as Annaliese stared at her father before glancing at Mr. Eme.

"Wait," Ann said slowly, smacking her lips as she tried to process the words that had just come out from her fafher's mouth.