Never Judge

"What a coincidence, Mr. Reyes." A familiar voice said as Ian and Cedric made their way down the hall to the elevator.

"Miss Carpio." Cedric greeted as he saw Calathea approaching them from behind. "Shouldn't you be in Spain?" Cedric asked.

"Dad did say that you didn't want us around, but I have someone in the Capital that I just can't stay away from." Calathea said with a shrug.

Cedric raised an eyebrow at Calathea, he assumed that she was talking about Eric, but Eric was already with Katerina, so was this bold woman trying to separate the couple.

"It's not good to be the reason for a couple's break up Miss Carpio." Cedric respectfully told her.

"I'm not that kind of woman." Calathea scoffed.

"I know the man you are here for." Cedric told Calathea. "He is already off the market." He warned.

"Do not assume to know who is in my heart Mr. Reyes. You might just end up embarrassing yourself." Calathea said as she glared at the masked man. Cedric could see her seething with anger at his words. He knew he had hit a sore topic. He wasn't afraid that the Carpios would reveal his identity, it was part of their generations long deal, they could compete in the field but there were things that neither of them would mess with. Cedric also knew that the Carpios feared him going against them publicly their situation was not as stable as they had been in the past. 

"You know my limits Miss Carpio, do not dare cross them." Cedric warned as he looked intently into her eyes. He was giving her a chance to escape and save her family from the consequences of her future actions. Calathea was saved from responding as the elevator doors opened. 

Cedric and his men got in while Calathea remained outside in the hallway.

"Are you not going down Miss Carpio?" Cedric asked as he smiled under his mask. 

"I left something in my room. I will take the next elevator." Calathea said as she turned and left.

At that a bodyguard closed the elevator doors.

"I never really liked that girl." Ian complained.

"Too bad she is nothing like her elder sister Ilya." Cedric said with a sigh as he recalled the eldest Carpio daughter who Alexi had loved in his youth.

"It's sad what happened to her. Both the Carpios and Alexi never recovered after her death." Ian said as he recalled what had happened in the past. 

"It's never too late, let's hope Calathea sees the light and becomes a better person." Cedric said, shaking his head. 

"Do you think she's back to go after Eric?" Ian asked.

"You heard it yourself, I've never heard Calathea Carpio love anyone aside from Eric." Cedric explained.

"Well, she's going to be eaten up alive by Katerina." Ian said with a laugh as he thought of Eric's girlfriend going after Calathea.

"Calathea is a weak point in their relationship. I hope it will hold." Cedric said with a sigh as the elevator doors opened and they stepped out to meet their guests.

Everyone's head turned as Cedric and his group walked across the restaurant to his private room, none of the diners had expected to be so fortunate as to run into the newly minted CEO of the Reyes Group. Their eyes were all on him, he was young, rich, powerful, and clearly quite good looking even with most of his face covered by his glasses and mask. 

Cedric ignored their stares, he had gotten used to it ever since he had returned. He was distinct because of his disguise, his actions to remain anonymous and silent were the very same that seemed to attract attention to him.

As Cedric entered the room he was happily greeted by his sister.

"Brother, I missed you at the office today." Ayanna said with a frown. The siblings had made it a habit to have lunch together whenever they didn't have meetings.

"It was only a day." Cedric groaned.

"Mr. Reyes." Their guests greeted as Cedric made his way to the head of the table.

"Why are you all so formal with my brother?" Ayanna asked with a pout. They were all her friends so her child-like attitude did not surprise them. 

The father's however were stunned with the powerful Ayanna Reyes - Laurence, acting like a child in front of her older brother.

"Ayanna, we're here for business." Cedric reminded her as he took his seat.

"Yes. I remember." Ayanna nodded as she sat up straight. 

"It's time." Cedric told his guests. "I want you to announce that aside from your legitimate heirs, you have decided to consider your illegitimate children as well." Cedric instructed as he looked at each of the father's in the eyes.

They no longer doubted him, they all simply feared and respected the young CEO of the Reyes Group. They knew that their family's survival was dependent on this man.

"Will we announce who will inherit?" Louie Sanchez asked.

"Not yet. I want that to be a public announcement in front of your sons." Cedric said. "You will release that statement tonight and the announcement will come a month later."

"A singular announcement?" Ayanna asked.

"No, five separate ones happening just days after each other." Cedric confirmed.

"Won't people get suspicious?" Krista Von asked.

"They will, but no one will respond. It will just be a happy coincidence." Cedric said with a grin.

"What if people ask why we chose our illegitimate children?" Juancho David Sr. asked.

"First of all they are just your children, second, I don't think anyone will wonder what happened. Your sons are clearly the worst choice to inherit the business and if they do inherit, your whole family will suffer with them at the helm." Cedric wanted to laugh at the man's question. It was clear that his bullies were not worthy to inherit. "On top of what is plainly obvious to the public, the truth about each of your sons will surface soon, just as it did for Carlo Juan." Cedric decided to warn them. Ian and Mae had already gathered all the information and sent it out to Ram's team, by the end of the week none of his bullies will be able to step out of their homes without the media clamoring for answers. 

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