"What are you trying to say, Mr. Briley?" Gerald asked impatiently. He felt like Rafael was leading them on without making an actual decision, being indecisive because the matter concerned his sister.
Rafael lifted his gaze to meet Gerald’s, his frown not aimed at Gerald but reflecting his unease. He felt that something was amiss, though he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. "What I’m trying to understand is, how did Minerva evene into contact with this group? Was there a connection or intermediary involved? Even if we confirm that her bank ount was used for transactions or withdrawals, how can we be sure it was Minerva herself behind these actions? Could someone else be manipting her, or worse, setting her up as a scapegoat?"
Gerald took a deep breath, clearly frustrated. His patience was wearing thin, and he felt his blood pressure rising. He wasn’t sure if Rafael was in denial, trying to shift the me, or simply unwilling to confront the gravity of the crimes detailed in the folder. And the potential damage to their family’s name and reputation was significant if this came to light. "Mr. Briley, if you’re struggling to ept what your sister has done or if you’re in denial, just say so. We understand that you’re caught between a rock and a hard ce right now."
"No, that’s not it," Rafael quickly corrected Gerald’s misunderstanding. "I’m not trying to avoid acknowledging the crimes in the report. It’s just that I have a strong feeling that this case is moreplicated than it appears."
"You’re suggesting...?" Hera raised an eyebrow, her expression inscrutable. Rafael, feeling the weight of her gaze, grew nervous and quickly spoke up to rify his thoughts.
"Look, I’m not trying to protect my sister, but I also don’t want her to be used as a scapegoat for something she might not be responsible for. I need the full report—specifically, how she came into contact with these criminal groups and who introduced her to them. I find it hard to believe she stumbled upon them by herself. Despite her reckless behavior, shecks the means or inclination to get involved with gangs. My sister is just as arrogant and proud as I am; she wouldn’t associate with people she considers beneath her, including criminals."
Gerald scoffed at Rafael’sment, thinking to himself, <i>"Is that really something to be proud of?"</i>
Rafael noticed Gerald’s gaze shift to him with a scornful scoff, and he felt the weight of the judgment. Ignoring it, he pressed on. "Minerva may resort to dirty tactics like ndering someone or manipting the crowd, things she’s seen in the entertainment industry. She’s familiar with these tricks because she’s observed them before. However, she’s like an old cow set in her ways—she struggles to learn anything new. I’m not proud of it, but my sister isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. Either someone introduced her to these criminals or used her name to ce orders for these women behind her back." Rafael could feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he finished speaking.
He wasn’t trying to belittle his sister, but Minerva had never been particrly bright. Her IQ was below average, and though her beauty was a saving grace, it only seemed to reinforce her arrogance and tyranny at home. This pride was deeply ingrained in her, making it unlikely she would suddenly change her ways. So, if she was involved in this criminal activity, it could mean one of two things: either she is genuinely desperate, or someone else is behind this, using her as a pawn.
Gerald and Hera exchanged a knowing nce, choosing not to immediately dismiss Rafael’s perspective. They decided to delve deeper into his viewpoint, mindful not to jump to conclusions. As they often said, a person could only be deemed guilty and convicted once all evidence was conclusive and without any missing pieces. At this moment, despite the information at hand, the notion that Minerva hired a hitman to kill these women seemed somewhat shallow. The motive also appeared flimsy; only a psychopath wouldmit such heinous acts for trivial reasons.