Chapter 329

Marvin couldn’t wait to kick out Misty after lunch, showing me how much he respected our relationship.

I knew he couldn’t be too unfriendly with her because their dads were business partners, but I did appreciate him for trying.

Other than Misty, no one had left, not even Mario, but deep down, we all knew that was only because of Lucas. Whenever Lucas was present, that man would turn into the biggest show-off and be desperate enough to appear as normal as possible.

“Mom, this hair color looks so good on you!” Karina hugged Linda, giving me enough time to escape as I didn’t want to be the awkward third wheel.

I settled in a corner, mainly so I could observe everyone. Mario was making a call, Panther was playing with Cisco, while Marvin and Lucas, who looked as if they had known each other their whole lives, were laughing. Victor had also settled himself in a corner, making me realize just how much of a loser I am.

I was supposed to be this happy extrovert, but being around the Castillo’s as well as carrying these big lies on me had changed my personality. How could I live carefree while feeling this trapped?

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, noticing Victor was headed in my direction. This was why I despised eye contact.

“What are you doing here by yourself?”

I shrugged. “Nothing.” I spoke. “What were you doing there by yourself.”

A laugh escaped from Victor’s lips. “Nothing.” He spoke. The situation had quickly turned awkward, which was not that strange considering Victor and I did not have a lot to say to each other. Besides that, Victor was just an awkward person in general.

I had always expected him to be the one to go against Marvin, but I had finally figured him out.

Victor was genuine from the start and had never changed, while Panther worked extra hours to come off as kind and sociable.

If Victor were really that much of a threat, Victoria wouldn’t have asked for his number-and to be honest, I was still curious as to why she did that.

Truthfully, this man was so immersed in his work that he didn’t know how to maintain a normal conversation, and in a way, it was kind of adorable.

“How about I make you a cocktail?” I tried saving the conversation. Victor laughed nervously. “I wouldn’t decline such an offer from a professional.”

I made eye contact with Marvin, who was spying on me from a distance, and gave him a reassuring smile as a way of telling him I did not need any saving from his brother.

“Let’s go.”

After dismissing all the maids in the upstairs kitchen, I began preparing Victor’s drink as he sat down on the opposite side. “So, I think the two of us started on the wrong foot!”

“So do I. Victor agreed. “I was just looking out for Marvin, still am-so I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression.”

“Why would you look out for him when you don’t like each other?” I wondered. Marvin didn’t have one good word to say about him, and the two fought like dogs.

“Marvin is my brother,” Victor stated as I handed him his drink. “He seems to believe I’m after his position, but I’m simply protecting what’s rightfully his.”

Those words…

“He doesn’t appreciate me looking out for him, but one day he will.” Victor took a sip. “And then he’ll realize who has truly been at his side all this time.”

Victor’s words made me suspect that he did know about Panther, but still-I didn’t want to risk anything. Would he really sit back and watch without doing anything if he did know? That was unlike Victor.

“I know he won’t listen.” He continued. “But you can tell that boyfriend of yours that I’ve worked my butt off to get him out of prison.”

“Did you?”

“Yes,” Victor spoke through gritted teeth, squeezing his glass for dear life. “I just want to help him, and 1 need him to keep his head in the game.”

There definitely seemed to be some tough love there.

“How did you end up with the Castillo’s?” I tried digging deeper. “If you don’t mind me asking, of course “My family got killed, and Mario took me in.” Victor didn’t even let me finish my sentence. “He told me he would mold me into a beast so that no one could hurt me ever again…and he kept his promise.”

“Oh, wow.”

“A-and Misty?” I changed the subject in fear of Victor telling me too much. Quite frankly, I was much more interested in Marvin’s ex.

Victor chuckled. “Marvin was always with Panther and this other guy.” He said. “You don’t know him, but Tiago is staying with his family at the moment.”

“Interesting.”

“Misty and Marvin were together until she cheated on him with his best friend.” He spoke. “Marvin doesn’t like getting humiliated, so you can already guess how that went.”

“And Tiago is staying with that family?” I facepalmed. “Wow, that’s messed up.”

It was clear that Marvin did not want to talk about it. I knew my place and didn’t feel the need to ask him about his past-but even then, I could see that this was beyond disrespectful.

“That’s life, Elena.” Victor lifted his shoulder in a half shrug. “You can’t go to war with an important business partner over a girl”

“If you look at it that way.”

At the end of the day, it was a business. I was well aware that Marvin could not always be there for me when he had a own family to protect.

“So, how is his bond with the other guy?” I wondered. “Do they still get along?”

Victor chuckled. “They haven’t spoken to each other in years.”

Hearing how one of Marvin’s friend played him made me furious. If somehow this guy would ever appear in front of me, I wouldn’t hesitate to give him a well deserved punch.

“Can I ask you one more question?”

Victor gave me a slight eye roll. “I’ll answer one more question if you’ll make me one more drink.”

He gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

“Deal.”

It barely took seconds before I was already busy with Victor’s drink. I didn’t know what was with him today, but I knew that I would make good use of his blabbermouth.

“How do you feel about Panther?” I cut right to the chase.

“Our good friend, Pedro? Where should I start.”Victor drew in a long breath and shook his head in disapproval. “He’s a manipulative, pathological liar who lies so much he can’t even keep up with his own lies.” He said. “He needs help.”

Unable to control my laughter, a cackle escaped from my lips. All this time, all I had to do was ask, but I refused because I believed Panther to be a good person. After all, he was the one who brought me here.

“I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as honest as you before.”

“How about Lucas?” I continued, handing Victor his drink.

He shot me an annoyed look. “Those are two questions, Elena.”

“Come on!” I pleaded. “Please?”

Victor clicked his tongue. “I don’t like cops, so I didn’t like him at first, but he seems okay for now.”

He confessed. “I still do not trust him.”

I laughed. “I like this game!”

Victor, who was always as cold as snow, managed to show me a slight smile.

“How do you feel about me?” I asked.

“For some reason. I’m unable to read you.”

“And why do you think that is?”

Victor squinted his eyes. “I don’t know you tell me.” He leaned forward, waiting for an answer.

Startled, I stared at him and pushed him away “I can’t even figure myself out.” I spoke. “So good luck with that.”

Before Victor could ask something else, I got saved by the sound of a notification on my phone.

A text from Victoria? Was it about the stick?

Victoria: