Chapter 24: Training camp

Angelic sat quietly, absorbing the gravity of her father’s words. Arnold Conde’s revelation had shattered her understanding of the world, but it had also opened up new possibilities for their fight against the Innovation family. The Conde family, it turned out, was not just influential but one of the most powerful families in the world.
Arnold’s voice was calm but firm. “Our family business is not just about wealth, Angelic. We have been pioneers in fields that the other celestial families can only dream of.”
Angelic’s curiosity was piqued. “What do you mean?”

Arnold leaned back, looking at his daughter with a mix of pride and seriousness. “We have developed some of the most advanced research laboratories in the world. Our projects include weapons that are unmatched, biochemicals, and pharmaceutical research that have led to the creation of drugs no one else has.”
Angelic’s eyes widened. “Weapons? Pharmaceuticals? What kind of drugs?”

“Drugs that can heal the rarest diseases, but also those that can control or eliminate threats with precision. Our biochemicals are advanced enough to alter the course of entire economies and governments.”
The weight of Arnold’s words hit Angelic. This wasn’t just about family rivalry or business competition; this was about global influence and control. “Why didn’t you tell me before?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of awe and disbelief.

“I had to keep you safe,” Arnold replied. “When you were sent to the United States, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to protect you from the Innovation family’s reach while also preparing you for the role you were born to play.”

Arnold nodded. “Every step of the way. I made sure you had the opportunities and the protection you needed. I couldn’t risk losing you.”
Angelic felt a mixture of gratitude and anger. She was grateful for her father’s protection, but angry at the deceit and manipulation that had shaped her life. “Why didn’t you tell me? I could have handled the truth.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were ready,” Arnold said gently. “But now, you are. And we need you to use that strength to fight the Innovations.”

Angelic nodded, her resolve hardening. “I will. But we need to be strategic. We can’t let them know we’re coming.”
Arnold smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes. “That’s my girl. We have resources and allies they don’t know about. We can use that to our advantage.”

Angelic’s mind raced as they discussed their plans. The Conde family’s laboratories held the key to their strategy. “Tell me more about our laboratories,” she said. “What exactly do we have that can help us?”
Arnold’s expression grew serious. “We have developed a range of biochemicals that can incapacitate targets without killing them. We also have surveillance technology that can infiltrate their networks and gather information without being detected.”

Angelic’s eyes lit up. “That’s perfect. We can use that to gather evidence against Marcelino and the Innovations.”
“Exactly,” Arnold replied. “But we need to be careful. They have their own resources and will stop at nothing to protect their interests.”

As they delved deeper into their plans, Angelic felt a renewed sense of purpose. Her father’s revelations had given her the tools she needed to fight back. But more importantly, they had given her hope. She was no longer alone in this battle.

“Dad,” she said softly, looking at Arnold with newfound respect and love. “Thank you for protecting me. I won’t let you down.”
Arnold’s eyes softened. “You never have, Angelic. And together, we will bring justice to those who have wronged us."

Angelic’s eyes welled up with tears as she felt the weight of her father’s love and protection. For so long, she had felt alone, navigating a world filled with deceit and danger. But now, knowing her father had been watching over her, she felt a profound sense of relief.

“Dad,” she whispered, her voice breaking, “I was so scared. I felt alone all the time. But knowing you were there, guiding me… it makes all the difference.”
Arnold pulled her into a tight embrace, his usually stern demeanor softened by the moment. “I’m sorry, Angelic. I had to stay in the shadows to keep you safe. But I’m here now, and I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Angelic clung to her father, letting the tears flow freely. It was the first time she felt truly safe in years. “What are we going to do, Dad?” she asked, her voice muffled against his chest.
Arnold gently stroked her hair. “We need to be strategic. Continue your relationship with Marcelino, but don’t reveal who you truly are. He’s the candidate to succeed the Innovation family, and we need to be cautious. But first, you need to start your training.”

“Training? For what?” Angelic pulled back; confusion written across her face.
“You need to be strong, Angelic. In this world, weakness is a death sentence. You are my heir, the one who will inherit the Conde legacy. You need to be prepared to protect our family and our interests.”
Angelic nodded, determination hardening her features. “I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Arnold smiled, a proud glint in his eyes. “That’s my girl. We’ll start your training immediately. You’ll learn how to defend yourself, how to strategize, and how to navigate the dangerous world of the celestials.”
Angelic took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. She had a lot to learn, but with her father by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came her way.
“But what about Monic and George? And my companies?” Angelic asked, her worry evident in her voice.

“Don’t worry, Angelic. I’ll handle it. Your children will be safe, and your companies will continue to thrive. You need to focus on becoming strong,” Arnold reassured her.
“But Dad, do I really need to go through training? Do you think I can survive it?” Angelic’s voice was laced with doubt.

Arnold smiled; his encouragement unwavering. “Angelic, I know you can. You will become strong. How else will you protect Monic and George from our enemies if you remain weak? I’m getting old, and soon, no one will be there to protect you and my grandchildren but you. You need to be strong.”

Angelic took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. She had a lot to learn, but with her father by her side, she felt ready to face whatever came her way. The weeks ahead would be grueling, but she was determined to rise to the challenge and protect her family’s legacy.

The following weeks were intense. Arnold pushed her to her limits, teaching her combat skills, strategic thinking, and the intricacies of their family’s business. Angelic absorbed everything like a sponge, driven by a desire to protect her loved ones and bring justice to those who had wronged them.

During their training sessions, Arnold also shared more about the celestial families and their power dynamics. The Innovation family was ruthless, using any means necessary to maintain their dominance. The Conde family, while powerful, had always operated with a code of honor, something Arnold instilled deeply in Angelic.
One evening, after an intense training session, Angelic sat with her father, reflecting on everything she had learned. “Dad, do you think we can really take down the Innovations?”
Arnold looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and determination. “Yes, Angelic. With our resources, our allies, and your strength, I believe we can. But we need to be smart and patient.”
Angelic nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. “I’ll be ready, Dad. I promise.”

As they continued to prepare, Angelic felt a growing confidence. She was no longer the scared, isolated woman she had been. She was a Conde, and she was ready to fight for her family and her future.
In the midst of their preparations, Angelic maintained her facade with Marcelino. She played the role of the loving partner, all the while gathering information and strategizing with her father. It was a delicate balance, but one she managed with increasing skill.

One evening, as they sat down to dinner, Angelic’s phone buzzed with a message from Marcelino. “Mariam, I need to see you. It’s important.”
She looked at her father, who nodded in understanding. “Go. Continue to play your part. But be careful.”
Angelic kissed her father’s cheek. “I will. Thank you, Dad.”

As she left to meet Marcelino, Angelic felt a mixture of anticipation and resolve. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but she was ready. With her father’s support and the strength, she had gained, she knew they could bring down the Innovation family and secure a future free from their tyranny.
The fight had just begun, but Angelic was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She would protect her children, honor her father’s legacy, and ensure that justice was served. The Conde family’s legacy would be one of strength, resilience, and unwavering determination.