Chapter 11: Gratitude

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Your mother is alive,” Raul replied.

“What?” I wondered if I heard him wrong and widened my eyes.

“This tomb is empty. I just wanted to lure you here.”

“Where is she now?”

“If you let me go, naturally I will let her go too.” Raul stared at me smugly.

Ravi immediately took out a gun and pressed it against Raul’s forehead. He lowered his voice and said, “Don’t negotiate.”

“She’s in Vegas, in the hotel at our family’s casino.” Raul looked up at the gun in front of his forehead and eased his tone. The nervous expression on his face eased a little when he saw Ravi’s gun move away from his head.

Ravi picked up his phone and made a call, then lowered his voice to say something. Raul, afraid to move, was still standing where he was because the sniper’s gun was still aimed at his heart and head. He glanced at Ravi, who was talking, and then said to me, “He was the one who helped you escape the engagement party, wasn’t he? Because of your escape, we offended the Rich family. You’re the sinner of our family.”

“A sinner? If I married Albert, would you have treated me as your benefactor?”

“You’re just an illegitimate daughter born from a whore. It’s your honor to marry for the family’s sake.”

“Bullshit.” I glared at Raul and told him with the last of my patience, “Listen. First, it doesn’t matter why I left or how I left on that day. Second, it’s your duty to explain to the Rich Mafia. Third, don’t bother me and my mom again. My mom won’t live with you guys anymore.”

“I hope so. In that case, you and your mom won’t get a single cent.” Raul smiled slyly.

Ravi came over and showed me his phone. On the screen, there was a slightly blurred photo that was probably a screenshot. I was pretty sure the person in the screenshot was my mother. I nodded at Ravi and my eyes were filled with gratitude.

“Fortunately, you told the truth, or you would all have died in this cemetery,” Ravi said to Raul with a raised eyebrow.

I was focused on getting my mom back, and I didn’t want anyone to be killed. So I said to Ravi, “Let’s go.”

Ravi took my hand and held it tightly as he prepared to leave. Suddenly, he stopped, turned around, and raised his gun. He fired five consecutive shots at the tombstone, each one hitting a letter with precision. He punched five holes in the name Sara, leaving only the last name Diaz.

“This tombstone is reserved for you, Raul Diaz,” Ravi said with an impassive expression. He took my hand and led me outside.

Raul and the others, afraid to move, were still standing where they were. The sniper would have to wait until after Ravi and I had left safely.

“Wait a minute,” Raul said loudly. There was fear and anxiety in his voice. “Who are you?” His eyes were glued to Ravi.

“I’m Ravi Rodriguez. You’re an eyesore to me.” He took off his sunglasses and gave Raul a contemptuous look. Then he put them on and led me away.

I didn’t turn back to look at Raul’s expression. His jaw must have dropped agape in shock.

Ravi and I walked out of the cemetery and back to the car.

“You knew this was a trap from the start?” I asked Ravi as I buckled my seat belt.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I didn’t want to.”

“Because you weren’t sure if my mother had really passed away, right?”

“The only thing I was sure of was that b*stard wanted to lure you out. I didn’t expect him to be so timid. He confessed everything after just a scare.”

“He’s just a coward,” I said through gritted teeth. “Anyway, I have to thank you. Thank you very much.” I smiled at Ravi.

Ravi, with one arm on the steering wheel and the other on the headrest of the passenger seat, turned around. His eyes never left mine.

“A second ago, you had a menacing expression, but now, you’re smiling at me. How did you manage to change your expression instantly?” Ravi asked with a poker face.

“How do you manage to keep an impassive expression all the time?” I asked.

“Look into my eyes.” He pressed his index finger against the center of his sunglasses and pushed it down his nose, revealing his big blue eyes. He looked straight at me and continued, “You’re not afraid of me at all now, are you?”

I smiled back. Slowly, I reached out and took his sunglasses off with both hands, then placed them on the console. As if he understood, he leaned closer, and his eyes were filled with tenderness.

Just then, my phone rang. I ran my fingers through my hair awkwardly. He gritted his teeth and let out a long breath through his nostrils.

“Boss, when are you going to get the sniper to evacuate?” I heard the voice on the other end of the line.

“After kissing!” Ravi pressed the red button on the screen with his thumb and hung up..