Never Judge

"Fine." Cedric said with a nod after a long silence.

"Cedric, are you fucking serious?" Ian asked in disbelief. "This is just too risky, too many things are on the line for Mae to just visit his family. People will know that we knew about this nurse's background, that we investigated him!"

"We already told the police that we were looking into his background." Cedric said in a stern tone.

"That's completely different from this and you know it!" Ian told Cedric in a raised tone. 

"No, it is not Ian." Cedric said, reciprocating his friend's tone. "If we deny looking into his background it will be suspicious, people will ask why we didn't investigate a man we suspected of attempting to hurt our interests."

Ian remained silent for a while as he thought of Cedric's reasoning. Cedric was unlike a lot of rich and powerful businessmen, he actually appreciated his people's feedback and took them into account. 

It was this trait of Cedric's that had helped him take the Reyes Group on to a whole different level. His willingness to listen and take in suggestions gave him an edge versus others, even his friends.

Cedric knew for a fact that Ray and Alexi ran all of their enterprises with an iron fist, no one was allowed to question their decisions, it was the nature of the underworld and the government. While Ram and Miguel were more open minded, listening to a select few.

"Fine." Ian said in defeat. "You are right." He said with a sigh as he shook his head.

"I know I'm right." Cedric said proudly, making Mae laugh at his reaction.

"We should get back to the police and Atty. Mien." Ian said as he tried to stop his friend and former boss from boasting. "They will wonder what's taking so long."

"Mae is a mourning woman, they will understand." Cedric said, shaking his head. "You just can't take being wrong this time."

"My gut tells me they shouldn't know, but logic says otherwise." Ian admitted to Cedric and Mae. "But Ced is right. They will know we looked into this man's past."

"Okay, I'm good with that, let's head back." Cedric told them as he led their group back to the living room where a couple of hotel staff were serving snacks and food.

"It seems that my wife had decided that you are hungry and thirsty." Cedric teased as he sat back into his seat. Ian also returned to Nicole's side and Mae stood behind Adrianna. 

"It is quite difficult to say no to your lovely wife, Mr. Reyes." Capt. Lim said as he gave Cedric a respectful smile.

"Mrs. Reyes is so kind and beautiful, sir." Artty. Mien said in an innocent tone. It was clear to Cedric that the boy didn't have that much experience with the harsh reality of the world. "You are a very lucky man."

His second statement made Cedric smile, it was true, Cedric was a lucky man.

"It's a good thing you added that second bit." Ian said with a laugh. "If you had made that comment towards any other businessman you would be in a ton of trouble."

"It's fine Mien." Cedric said with a laugh as he noticed the boy's alarmed expression. "I don't mind you praising my wife, especially when it is the truth. I truly am a lucky man." Cedric said with a smile as he looked lovingly at Adrianna.

"Sir." Mae said with a cough as she reminded him about her request.

"Ah yes, I'm sorry I almost forgot Mae." Cedric said with a laugh as he returned his attention back to the group.

"It's alright, sir. It's my job to remind you." Mae said in a respectful tone.

Cedric simply nodded in response and he turned to face Capt. Lim and Atty. Mien. 

"As both of you know by now, I had Fernando investigated." Cedric said with a much more serious expression.

"Yes." Capt. Lim said slowly as he was clearly curious to hear what Cedric had to say.

"While there were things we missed out in our investigation, which is completely natural, we did discover that he still has family back in our country." Cedric explained.

"If this is a request to bury him there with his family, we have no issue with that." Capt. Lim said. "Our government understands that this is not his home and you have complete freedom to take his body or ashes back."

"We may need to take his body." Mae said. "His family might not believe that he was still alive if they do not see it."

"I will arrange for it then, I assume you would like to take it with you as you fly back?" Capt. Lim asked Cedric.

"Yes." Cedric said with a nod. "My plane has ample storage to take him home so it shouldn't be an issue."

"Is that all?" Capt. Lim asked with a confused look, Cedric's request was a simple one, not something that needed to be raised with him.

"The second request is more for Atty. Mien." Cedric announced.

"For me?" The young lawyer asked with a confused look on his face.

"Mae." Cedric said as he nodded at his assistant, signalling her to ask.

"Atty. Mien, just like you Fernando reminded me of my father." Mae began. "And I think this is something his family needs to hear. That Fernando did not die unloved or alone. That there were people who cared for him in his last days." Mae's voice cracked as her emotions began to seep through the strong facade she had.

"Are you asking me to come meet his family?" Atty. Mien asked as he pointed towards himself.

"Yes." Mae said with a nod. "I don't want his family to think he died alone." She explained.

"I'll do it for Fernando." Atty. Mien said with a nod. "But I'm not quite sure if I can leave with you today. I still have business to attend to." He explained.

"It's alright. I still need to arrange to meet with his family." Mae said as a feeling of relief made her smile.

"I will send you a ticket and pay for it." Cedric announced. "My friend owns a local airline, don't reject my offer." Cedric quickly added knowing that the man would refuse.

"Very well. I will follow in two days." Atty. Mien said with a nod, making Mae smile.

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