118 To Their New Dwelling (1/2)

Day 4 – 2:40 PM – Evacuation Settlement Area, Central Business Park, Bay City, Pasay

”Mauriss, what is this about?”

1st Lieutenant Rafael asked with a stern voice.

”Lieutenant, I didn't do anything.”

Mauriss waved his hands as he replied while smiling. Even if he did smile, he was now sweating profusely wishing that these soldiers would just go away. However, a voice almost broke his façade.

”Raf, he's lying.”

Paula's voice made Rafael's face even sterner as he stared at Mauriss.

'Sh*t! Who is this woman? Why does this bastard lieutenant seem to believe her?'

Mauriss was cursing inside but he did not dare to show his distress on his face.

”The miss, over there, I didn't really do anything.”

When Mauriss tried to defend himself, what he received was an even grimmer stare from Paula. Rafael on the other hand turned towards Elsa.

”Tell us. What did he do?”

Rafael asked Elsa which made Mauriss panic inside.

Elsa hesitated to answer at first when Paula spoke to her.

”Don't worry about these men. Just tell us. We're on your side.”

This made Elsa look at Paula as she nodded. She then recounted everything that happened since yesterday. Due to this, Mauriss and his men paled. They did not think that this woman would dare speak. Furthermore, it seemed that this woman was highly valued by the Lieutenant Rafael for some reason. If they knew that it would be like this, they would have stayed away from her no matter what.

Looking back at Mauriss, Rafael and his men drew their guns pointing at the group.

”Now what do you want to say?”

Rafael was a bit elated due to this. One reason that these groups were not being eliminated was because no one dared to step out as witness for everything they did in fear of getting revenged on. Now however, Elsa spoke up. It was enough to make a move on this group of imbeciles.

Mauriss could not say or do anything but curse inside as his men look at him waiting for his orders. He was still able to stare daggers at Elsa but that was it. After all, they were caught while his men were surrounding the tent and he got out of the tent the moment these soldiers arrived. He had nothing to say anymore in defense.

At this moment, the confrontation between the soldiers and this group was gathering the attention of a lot of people around. Many of them were here just because of curiosity but some of them felt glad upon seeing that Mauriss' group was in a predicament. It was obvious that these people had been victims of their harassment.

”What is happening here?”

At this time, another group of soldiers came to oversee the situation. The one who spoke was the soldier leading the group. Looking at the insignia on his chest and shoulders, it was obvious that he was at the same rank as Rafael, a 1st Lieutenant. Still, it could be seen that this person was not here to actually check the situation but to aid Mauriss and his men.

To that question however, Rafael frowned as he replied.

”Even if you're here now, you can't help your brother anymore, 1st Lieutenant Manolo. He was caught in the act. We also have the victim here.”

1st Lieutenant Mephisto Manolo, who was leading the group of soldiers that just arrived, looked at Rafael with a stern face. He hurried into this place after receiving a tip that his younger brother was in trouble. He was one of the reasons why Mauriss was able to do his vile acts without too much restraint. What he did not expect however that the one who was troubling his brother was actually 1st Lieutenant Rafael Perez out of all people.

Thickening his face, Mephisto spoke.

”If that is the case, then we will bring the victim to take their testimony. Where is victim?”

However, the moment he ended his question, he was interrupted.

”What a shameless liar.”

Mephisto looked at Paula with shock. He did not realize that she was here. If that was the case he would not dare to say that.

'Why is this demoness here?'

Paula's mother who was a private investigator and a close friend of General Perez had a good amount of influence in this place. As such, almost everyone in their ranks knew of Paula. However, that was not all. It was also known that no one could lie in front of that pair of mother and daughter or else, their lies would be exposed. No one knows how they were able to do it and several rumors came about due to this. Still, there was one thing that could be confirmed, the two never failed at determining lies and truth apart.

Mephisto was now dragged into the predicament his brother made. However, he should not waver.

”That is the procedure! This place is not under your jurisdiction but ours. If there are issues here, then our division is in charge of addressing it.”

”You're really doesn't have the dignity of a soldier working for the country aren't you?”

Rafael mocked and continued.

”However, even if that is the case, we can't hand over the victim. She is a VIP we are taking into our custody in order of someone important. It had also been approved by my father. So drop, whatever you are scheming.”

Hearing that, Mephisto's countenance changed as he glared at his brother. To think that Mauriss offended a VIP that was to be taken under the General's protection. His brother was seeking death! Still, he could not just back down.

”In any case, what you are doing is illegal. You can't just arrest someone without proper procedures.”

Rafael could only agree to that. Even if they had the authority here, they still needed to follow the procedures. Still, he could not help but feel grim as these rules were being used to protect a criminal at the moment.

In any case, even if he wanted to eliminate this bunch of human garbage, he could not start a gun fight at this place or many people would be implicated. While Rafael was thinking, Elsa's voice was heard.

”Can we just drop this? There was nothing irreversible that happened anyway.”

Elsa decided to compromise. Even though she wanted to address her grievances, she knew that the situation was getting out of hand. She did not want to implicate these people more.

”Are you sure about that?”

Paula asked Elsa with a frown.

”Yes.”

Paula knew that Elsa was lying but she also knew that this was the best outcome for now. If these two factions fell out here, not only she and Elsa would be dragged into it but also everyone around them who was oblivious to the situation.

”Raf, it's better if we go now. We still need to bring Elsa and the others to their new dwellings.”

Rafael was reluctant to leave it like this but he also nodded. He then looked at the Manolo brothers.

”You two might be able to escape this time. But remember, it will be the last.”

1st Lieutenant Rafael and his group was about to leave when Paula turned towards the two and spoke.

”By the way, you two better be prepared. The brother of the woman who you two just offended is a vengeful person.”

”And what can he do? You think we are afraid of a single person?”