Chapter 282 - Home In Molave 28

Despite how the videos that proved Ebony Fighters was the culprit of the bombing incident went viral, the news of the earthquake near Molave beat the headlines the next morning. The epicenter was located at the hill near the mountain of Molave, crushing the hill into mounds of rocks, lime soil, and hewn down trees. Reports also had it that it capsized boats and washed off those huts by the shore.

Somewhere in a hideout, the news caused a satisfactory smile on Dr. Madani's lips. "It worked! So far, this bomb has the lowest capacity. So, start counting your days, Markus!"

"Have you sent all the invitation to the party?" Dr. Nelson asked, his gaze focused on the screen that monitored all the damages their invention created during the trial.

"Sure, every member of the Madani families except the evil line of Markus. I have also sent their hotel accommodations to make sure everybody comes."

Dr. Nelson nodded, but a worried expression glimmered in his eyes. "Charles, are you sure you'll do this? The earthquake this bomb would cause will shatter the islands into bits and even make them disappear from the face of the earth. So, it could also be the end of the family's legacy of oil and mineral production. Not only that, but also your velvet diamonds."

"I am sure, Nelson. This is for the justice our great-great-grandfathers whom these  people under Markus line exploited and murdered."

"Yes, but we will also be destroying innocent lives."

"They are also destroying innocent lives during their bombings. Not only these innocent people but our grandfathers who were the key to the growth and prosperity of the Madani Islands. Elson, I can never forget how they ruthlessly killed our grandparents just because of these treasures, despite their pleadings, and despite their bargaining. All because of greed for more wealth. So. I'm going to bury these treasure forever."

"So, tonight, I'll have these black boxes transported and planted in the fault line under the Madani Islands. The equipment and the vessels are already ready."

Dr. Elson was referring to the types of equipment that would go down the earth's crust and trace the fault line passing through the Madani islands. He was also referring to the submarine-like vessels that would carry all the pieces of equipment and the explosives. The sea at the foot of the mountains of Molave was a direct route to the thousands- of- miles distance of the Madani Islands.

The Lopez family surveyed their properties in Molave to rule out the damages on their property. Except for trees hewn down, and some parts of the house collapsing, it did no other harm. The buildings of the resorts which were designed to withstand earthquakes had only minor damages. Leo now understood why Mr. Blacksmith asked them to leave. He also understood why he gathered the farmers on safer ground. So, Mr. Blacksmith was not heartless after all, even if he was related to the insurgents hiding in Molave.

________

Jane and Hayri stared at Rona while she was finding the courage and the right words to start her confession. Not until this moment did they understand that someone as confident and elegant as Rona could also hold dark secrets and probably, some poignant memories in the past. Just a couple of minutes ago, she looked happy and formidable, but now she looked so lost and devastated.

"Nine years ago, I was a simple island girl who lived on an island that the Madani rejected. I was the only daughter of a couple who chose a life away from the chaos of the Madani clan. At that time, the Madani's were holding their heads high, despising people like us. So when a mighty typhoon took my parent's life away, I lived on my own. At that time, I was about to enter college at the only university the Islands of Madani had."

When neither Hayri nor Jane spoke out, Rona continued. "Since I didn't have the means, I applied for a scholarship program through the help of Charles. His family owned the facility, anyway. I didn't just get the scholarship; I also got a friend in him. Somehow, the friendship blossomed into a beautiful but forbidden relationship. Forbidden, because we both knew his family would never want me for Charles. However, Charles often sneaked out into the island where I lived, so the relationship deepened."

"During those times that Charles sneaked into my home, I also learned that  Markus, his cousin,  was also sneaking there together with his Riza, his girlfriend. Though I always knew that I was not meant for Charles, I was still shocked to death when one day, Charles said goodbye to me because he was soon getting married to Riza. I felt it in my heart that Charles truly cared for me, but he was too weak to break the family's rule."

Whatever was the next part of the story, Rona didn't get the nerves to speak up right away. She paused and gave in to an urge to sob. Hayri felt Jane stiffened as her story tugged her heartstring away. They thought Rona would stop right there as it took Hayri a couple of minutes to rub her back, but eventually, she continued.

"We made love that night, and when I woke up in the morning, instead of finding him beside me,  I found boxes of jewelry. I knew what Charles implied in that.  So I left the island to find a greener pasture in big cities for my son using the money I got in selling a piece of jewelry and me.  Not only did I find a green pasture, but I also struck a pot of gold."

"I met someone who helped me become what I am today, but that also made me decide to leave my son in an orphanage. I did not mean to abandon him, but processing the papers to bring him along with me was not easy. I came back a few months after to claim him, only to learn that fire brought the orphanage into a complete ruin. I did not know if my son survived, because the fire also burned the records into ashes and took the life of the school director."

To Jane's surprise, Rona looked up and reached for the velvet diamond necklace in Jane's neck. "Jane, do you know why I got emotional when I first saw this necklace?  It's because I know who the jeweler is. And that only jeweler in the world who produce velvet diamonds.is the father of my son."

Note: I will edit this in the morning.