Chapter 23: The three celestial families

After the man's revelation, Angelic's voice began to soften, though it was still edged with suspicion and pain. "But if you're really my real father, why did you kill my father, Arthur?"
"Angelic, as I said, I am not responsible for Arthur's death," the man replied, his tone steady and calm.

"But it was you, your voice, all the time! Don't lie to me!" Her voice grew harsher, the hurt and confusion palpable.

"No, I wasn't behind Arthur's death. I was bluffing to provoke you, but it wasn't me. Arthur's death was the work of the Innovation family," he said firmly.
"Innovation family? You mean Marcelino?" Angelic asked, her voice tinged with confusion and a trace of eagerness to understand the complex situation.
"Yes, it was the Innovation family. Have you heard about the three celestial families in this world? The Innovation family is part of that celestial trio."

Angelic's mind raced. The three celestial families were a legend, powerful and influential beyond normal comprehension. If Marcelino was part of such a family, the stakes were higher than she had ever imagined.
"Tell me more about these celestial families," she demanded, her curiosity and determination pushing her to learn more.

The man nodded. "The celestial families are three powerful dynasties that have controlled vast empires for centuries. They operate in the shadows, influencing global events from behind the scenes. The Innovation family is one of them. They are known for their intelligence, strategic thinking, and uthless methods."
Angelic's heart pounded. "So, Marcelino... he's part of this powerful family?"

"Yes, and he's been using you as a pawn in their larger game," the man continued. "The Innovations are not just businessmen; they are manipulators and strategists. Marcelino saw an opportunity to weaken your father and take over his empire."

Angelic's mind flashed back to all the moments she had shared with Marcelino. His charm, his seemingly genuine care for her – had it all been a facade? She felt a mix of anger and heartbreak. "Why would Marcelino do this to me?"

"Because you were a means to an end. By getting close to you, he could manipulate your father and ultimately bring him down. Your father was a rival, and Marcelino did what he had to do to eliminate that rivalry."
Tears welled up in Angelic's eyes. "So, all of this... it was just a game to him?"

Angelic couldn't help but recall the numerous times the mysterious man had called her, warning her against Marcelino. Marcelino had always insisted that she shouldn't listen, that the man was merely trying to manipulate her. At the time, she had believed him, but now, with everything falling into place, she realized Marcelino had known what was going on all along. His warnings had been attempts to keep her in the dark, to maintain control over her.

"Who was the voice that kept calling me?" Angelic asked her father.
The man looked at her with a mix of regret and determination. "That was one of the assassins hired by the Innovation family. Marcelino knew about it. He was the one controlling the situation, ensuring that you were kept off-balance and fearful."

Angelic's blood boiled. The manipulation, the lies, the betrayal – it was all becoming clear. "What is your name?" she asked softly, wanting to know more about the man who had revealed so much to her.
"My name is Arnold Conde," he replied. "I am the head of the Conde family, your real father. The Conde family is ranked second among the three celestial families, just after the Innovation family. The third family, the Vermudez, remains hidden and less powerful, though they are still part of the celestial trio."

Angelic's mind reeled. The man standing before her was not only her real father but also a powerful figure in a secret world she had barely known existed. "So you’ve been protecting me all this time?"
"I'm afraid so," the man replied softly. "But you have a choice now. You can let this destroy you, or you can use this knowledge to fight back."
Angelic's hands clenched into fists. "I want to fight back. I want to bring down Marcelino and everyone who had a hand in this."

"Good," the man said, his eyes gleaming with approval. "But you need to be smart about this. The Innovations are powerful, and they won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who stands in their way."
Tears welled up in Angelic's eyes. The pieces of her life were falling into place, and for the first time, she felt a profound connection to the man in front of her. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Arnold stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We are family, Angelic. And now, we must stand together to bring down those who have wronged us. We will expose the Innovations and ensure they face justice for what they’ve done."

Angelic nodded, her resolve hardening. She would not let her father’s death be in vain. She would fight with every ounce of her being to bring down Marcelino and his family. As she looked into her father’s eyes, she knew she was not alone in this battle. She had the strength of her real family behind her, and together, they would see this through to the end.

Tears welled up in Angelic's eyes. The pieces of her life were falling into place, and for the first time, she felt a profound connection to the man in front of her. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Arnold stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We are family, Angelic. And now, we must stand together to bring down those who have wronged us. We will expose the Innovations and ensure they face justice for what they’ve done."

Angelic nodded, her resolve hardening. She would not let her father’s death be in vain. She would fight with every ounce of her being to bring down Marcelino and his family. As she looked into her father’s eyes, she knew she was not alone in this battle. She had the strength of her real family behind her, and together, they would see this through to the end.

As they stood there, Angelic’s tears began to flow freely. The realization that the man in front of her, the one who had been guiding and protecting her from the shadows, was her real father overwhelmed her. She collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Arnold held her tightly, allowing her to let out all the pain and confusion she had been harboring for years. "I’ve got you, Angelic," he whispered soothingly. "You’re not alone anymore."

The weight of the revelation and the emotional toll of recent events had finally caught up with her. She cried for the father she had lost, for the father she had found, and for the betrayal she had endured. Her body shook with each sob, and Arnold’s grip on her tightened, providing the comfort she so desperately needed.

"I'm so sorry," she choked out between sobs. "I should have known... I should have realized..."

"Shh," Arnold murmured, stroking her hair. "You couldn’t have known. But now, you do, and we will move forward together."

Angelic pulled back slightly, looking up at her father with tear-filled eyes. "I promise, I will make them pay for what they’ve done to us. To our family."

Arnold nodded, his expression filled with a mix of pride and determination. "We will, Angelic. Together, we will ensure justice is served."

As they embraced once more, Angelic felt a renewed sense of purpose. She had found her true family, and with them by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead. The battle for justice and revenge was just beginning, but Angelic was ready to fight with everything she had.