Xhemin only looked at the tea that was served. She wasn't expecting that it was Franco Lagdameo they were meeting and although she knew she was safe so long as Darryl was there, she still didn't want to act carelessly. Franco Lagdameo's reputation precedes him and many had loathed the man for how dangerous and cruel he was. They say if one was to be invited in his presence, one should look after their very own safety cause as the man could kill as easily as he breathes and that was the very reason Xhemin was so hesitant in taking a sip of the tea.

"Go on," Franco encouraged her to drink. It was obvious from the way he looked at Xhemin that he was playing on her by frightening her to drink from the tea, however, even before Franco could laugh at Xhemin's hesitation, Darryl took her cup and drank from it.

​​

Franco only chuckled at the way Darryl was protecting his wife from humiliation. He thought that she'll have fun frightening Darryl's wife but it seemed like the Lagdameo heir wouldn't let him.

"See there's no poison," Franco titled his head in a comic horrifying way. "Go on drink, it's very disrespectful for a visitor not to drink a tea offered by his host,"

"Uncle, no more…" Darryl warned her uncle the way he was acting up with his wife.

"No Darryl, he was right. It was indeed very disrespectful of me, " Xhemin stopped him and she looked at Franco in the eyes and bowed politely, "I apologize for making you, upset sir. Thank you for your hospitality," Xhemin then proceeded to drink the tea. The taste of it was soothing in the throat and surprisingly familiar, as if she had drunk the same kind of tea before, "This is good," She complimented the tea then, trying very hard to make a very casual conversation.

"Of course that's a good tea," Franco's eyes seemed bored as he looked at Xhemin this time. Then he sat straight on his chair then crossed his arms, "This is a special tea exclusively made only for Lagdameo's. My sweet niece Dian makes this for us. I heard you were friends and share some recipes when you were young so I think your taste buds were somewhat similar,"

"Indeed sir," Xhemin replied and turned to look at Darryl to see his expression. However, to Xhemin's confusion, Darryl's expression remained cold and hard despite the fact that the conversations were steady then.

"So what made you come?" Franco was then serious as he too noticed Darryl's indifference.

"You knew we were coming" Darryl tried to unveil his uncle's pretensions. "You probably knew the moment your men reported that we went to jail to see Collet,"

Darryl was aware that Franco had his eyes on every Lagdameo's and everyone related to them. It was his role in the family to track and make sure everyone's situation and safety. Although his dealings include everything legal and illegal, he's role was then very helpful in the Lagdameo Clan. Knowing that and by his previous statements the moment they came, he knew Franco knew they were heading there.

"My men told me to expect both of you, but I don't know the reason for your visit. It must be very important since you brought your wife over….confidently," He made an emphasis on the last statement as no sane person would ever bring their wives down to Franco's crib because it was pretty unpredictable whatever happens inside and when things get worst, it's hard to get out alive.

Darryl responded with a devious smile as if he does not believe his uncle's words. However, he gave him the benefit of the doubt. "Fine. Then let me tell you why we came. We came to ask you personally whether it was you who had our son killed,"

The moment Xhemin heard the questions, she tensed and panicked. For how Darryl confronted his uncle, she then realized that they were in a very dangerous and disadvantaged situation knowing that they are inside Franco's territory. Definitely, no one angers anyone in their own territory but Darryl just made so, with full confidence that he can take down his uncle easily.

"You dare accuse me on my territory," Franco's expression turned hard right then and his eyes grew big, very pissed.

"If indeed I am accusing you, then I would not waste time asking you a question for you could easily deny it. I should have just torn down this place and find answers myself," Darryl snapped back without any reservations. Xhemin herself could feel her husband's anger and prayed real hard that the beast inside him will not wake up. "Asking you that questions were a way of giving you a chance to explain yourself my dear uncle, so tell me, did you or did you not had my son killed?"

"hahahahah," Franco let go of a loud guffaw as soon as he realized what was really happening. "I was wondering why you brought your wife here, and only now did I realize you came very prepared. How many men did you bring with you?"

If Darryl came to his place to confront him, it means he brought several men with him to destabilize his. Darryl was smart and he won't recklessly go to a dangerous place and go on confronting everyone without any security he can go out alive.

"Enough to tear you and this place down," Darryl answered and Xhemin could only turn to look at the two whose eyes were battling against each other. Their expressions were all horrifying and Xhemin wished she wasn't there to see it all.

"And you brought your wife to make sure she's safe. What a smart ass you are," Franco was impressed but his anger didn't subside.

"She's far safer if I can see her," Darryl told. He carefully considered the idea of whether to bring Xhemin to ask her to go home but provided the recent circumstances, he was far confident he can protect her when she's beside her rather than when she's away so he chose to bring her over. "I know your goons are everywhere. Just one alarm and you can have her snatched anywhere,"