Never Judge

Cedric looked at Jonathan Carpio with a cold glare as he waited for the older man to give him his reasons. A part of him felt that Jonathan Carpio would refuse to tell him at least that.

Jonathan leaned back on his seat and sighed.

"Because just like you he had one request from me, to keep his identity a secret. He would do everything to help us out as long as his name and face stayed out of public view. The employees know how he looks, but other than that they don't know anything. No photos are snapped of him either. He's very much like you." Jonathan Carpio said with a smile. "I know this is frustrating, but I've never revealed your identity to him, he has also asked on multiple occasions."

Cedric sighed and walked out of the restaurant in frustration. As he got up both his men and those placed by the Carpio family reacted.

"I'm leaving, you all don't have to over react." Cedric said in frustration as he slammed the door behind him. 

Dave followed him out and walked behind him in silence as Cedric walked to a nearby park. He sat on a bench in silence as he watched people and families walk by him. His mind was blank, he was frustrated and angry.

"How are things back home?" Cedric suddenly asked Dave who was surprised by Cedric's question.

"Ian hasn't called with any issues." Dave said as he tried to recall if Ian had sent him an update for Cedric.

"Give him a call. Ask him to send over anything that needs my attention, and tell Ace I'll be needing my office today." Cedric said as he continued to stare at a distance.

Cedric sat in the park for another hour doing nothing in particular. Dave checked on him multiple times, Leon also asked Dave if the boss was alright. Dave simply said that it seemed like Cedric wanted some peaceful moments on his own.

After an hour, Miguel who was in the medical van couldn't take it anymore. He got off and walked over to Cedric. To Dave's surprise Miguel simply sat next to Cedric and placed a hand on his shoulder. It seemed the two men could communicate without even speaking.

"This isn't the end of the road." Miguel suddenly said after a few minutes of silence.

"I know." Cedric said with a nod. "I just felt like I needed some time to gather my thoughts." 

"We'll figure out who is behind this. At least you have more information now." Miguel explained. "Do you think it's possible that it's Rene Ty' s son that's behind this?" 

"If it were, then why come after the Reyes Group?" Cedric asked. "Why not go after the Sebastians? They clearly won't go after the Lims, Ian and his family have long fallen." 

"Maybe there is an even bigger motive behind everything." Miguel said with a shrug.

"I just needed some time to digest what happened." Cedric sighed. "I can't blame Uncle Jonathan for keeping the CEOs identity a secret, he has done the same for me anyway, and I'm guessing so has Calathea. I'm just frustrated. We're so near and yet I can't get that piece of information." 

"Have you recovered?" Miguel asked his friend.

"Yes." Cedric said as he stood up. "I'll take a cab to the office with Dave." Cedric told Miguel.

"I'll take it with you. I'm not really that popular." Miguel said with a laugh as they walked towards the street. 

When they got back to the Reyes Group office, Dave handed Cedric and Miguel several passes that would let them go anywhere in the building. They headed to the CEO's elevator which surprised a lot of the employees. Only members of the Reyes family and their staff ever used that elevator and Dave was quite new so people didn't know who he was. 

"Hey, boys, you aren't allowed to use that elevator." A man said with a concerned tone.

Dave was taken by surprise by the man's concern, he wanted to say that the CEO was right in front of him.

"Sir, we work at the CEO's office, we're from the Capital." Cedric said with a smile. "This man here is Mr. Reyes' friend, Miguel Chan." 

"Ah, Doctor. It's an honor." The man suddenly said.

"Oh, thank you." Miguel said awkwardly. Cedric wanted to laugh, he knew Miguel was always confused when people said it was an honor to meet him.

When the elevator door finally opened Cedric walked in ahead of Dave and Miguel.

"I'm sorry boss." Dave suddenly said as the doors closed.

"Sorry about what?" Cedric asked.

"I should have thought of an excuse faster." Dave said apologetically.

Cedric laughed. "It's alright Dave. You're new, I'm used to treatment like this so I more or less have a ready answer for different situations."

"Cousin, you're back." Ace greeted them as they walked into the CEO's floor.

"Where is your digression kid?" Miguel asked as he went over to his wife and kissed her.

"I was worried." Veronica told Miguel as he held her in his arms. 

"Don't worry, no one comes to this floor unless they are called up and it's a restricted floor." Ace said with a shrug. "I had your office prepared just as you asked. It's been a while since it was used. Even Uncle Emilio rarely visited." 

"We'll try to come around more often." Cedric promised as he walked over to his office. "Come with me, I have some things I want to ask you." Cedric told his cousin.

The CEO's office was similar to the one in the Capital, it had an office table, several TVs and a couch. It also had a lounge behind the CEO's desk where Cedric could rest if needed.

Cedric sat behind his desk as Dave laid out his laptop and some documents that Ian had just sent over that needed Cedric's attention. 

Cedric gestured for Ace to sit on a chair by the table across him.

"Have you been keeping an eye on the Carpios?" Cedric asked his cousin.

"Of course I have, but you know that they aren't exactly easy to watch." Ace told Cedric.

"Have you noticed anyone visiting them often in the past two years?" Cedric asked Ace.

"No, well there is Calathea's new boyfriend." Ace said with a shrug.