Never Judge

When the Cruz family drove up to the Mountain View mansion, they couldn't help but be in awe of how elegant the house actually was.

During Emilio's birthday party, a tent had been set up, at a distance from the mansion on the property. 

As a matter of fact, a lot of the guests were quite disappointed that they couldn't get any closer to the famed mansion. It was not only one of the largest in the country, but it was also designed by Veronica as well.

"Wow, now this is how the truly rich live!" Lorisa said as she tugged on her husband's sleeve.

"Don't be too eager with them Lorisa." Her father-in-law warned as they drove up to the front of the mansion. "Be careful with them." Kenneth Cruz warned his son and daughter-in-law.

"Father, I don't see why you hate them so much." Anton Cruz complained. "I don't like them, but I don't mind using them and their connections. Just look at all the luxury cars parked out here." Anton said, pointing at the cars parked outside the house.

Behind them there were also another two cars that had arrived. 

"See that one dad." Anton said, pointing at the car behind them. "There are only ten of those in the world, it was released just last week. Whoever owns that car is truly someone powerful and influential."

"I get it, I get it, this dinner is an opportunity." Kenneth said, rolling his eyes at his son.

"Happy birthday dad." Lorisa suddenly said as she handed a gift to her father-in-law. "I know that we usually give this to you while we are having dinner, but since today is a double special day, I decided to give it to you now."

"Thank you, Lorisa." Kenneth said with a nod as he took the gift from her. 

He never really liked Lorisa, he always felt that she was too high profile and too loud for his son. He worried that she would be the reason for their businesses to crash, both the legal and illegal trades. 

But Kenneth couldn't deny that Lorisa's social climbing skills had brought them many clients. Since she insisted on being around the richest of the rich, she soon befriended them and they all did business with Anton's company.

This increased income from their legitimate sources allowed for his underground business to grow. They could always say that his son's company was doing well, whenever their opulence came into question. 

"Wow, this is a very nice gift Lorisa." Kenneth Cruz said as he took out the limited edition watch that Lorisa and Anton had bought for him. "I like this luxury brand too."

"Well dad, as they say, you can't take a BMW to a meeting room, but you can take a Rolex." Lorisa said with a proud smile.

"I shall wear this tonight." Kenneth said with a grin as he wrapped the watch around his wrist and took a good look at it. "Those businessmen will be green with envy when they see this watch."

"Lorisa gave it at the perfect time, didn't she dad." Anton said as he kissed his wife.

"Yes, yes. You don't need to keep trying so hard Anton." Kenneth said, rolling his eyes. "You are already married with a son, it's not like I can do anything about that."

"So you accept her now dad?" Anton asked his father in an excited tone.

"Calm down, you sound like a teenage girl!" Kenneth Cruz scolded his son. "Let's get down, I don't want them labeling us as late comers, remember, first impressions last." 

"Yes dad." Anton said excitedly as he opened the door and helped his wife out.

They couldn't help but look up in awe as they were greeted by several servants.

"Are you here for the madam's dinner party?" A butler asked, to which Lorisa responded with a nod.

"This way ma'am." The butler said, ushering them into the house.

Lorisa, Anton, and Kenneth followed the butler into the house and through the living room. Lorisa couldn't help but keep looking around as they walked through the mansion.

"Oh, the couch! I saw that one. That's one of a kind." Lorisa said, pointing at the couch in the reception area of the mansion. 

"That chandelier, I've read about it, it's made of real gems, I heard it was a wedding gift!" Lorisa said as she pointed up. "Anton, babe, I want something just like that."

"Lorisa, behave." Kenneth Cruz said, scolding his daughter-in-law. "I may have praised you moments ago, but I will not have you parading around like some school girl on a field trip!"

"Sorry dad." Lorisa said as she calmed herself and looked down. 

They were soon led to a large back patio, it was dark.

"The madam said for you to wait for her here." The butler informed them.

"Thank you." Lorisa said as the butler left, closing the door behind him.

"So where do you think this dinner party is?" Anton asked his wife as he looked around the property. "This place looks huge!" 

"We probably have to take a golf cart or something to get there." Lorisa said with a shrug. "I wonder why it's so dark, do you think the Reyeses are now short of money?"

"Don't say things like that." Anton scolded his wife. "They might suddenly arri-"

"Anton?" Lorisa asked as she turned. She was shocked to see a large man carrying her now incapacitated husband and father-in-law.

Lorisa attempted to scream but her mouth was immediately covered and gagged. A blindfold was placed over her eyes, followed by a sack. 

She tried to kick as someone tied her hands behind her back, unfortunately her legs were soon tied as well.

Lorisa continued to struggle as she felt someone placing her over their shoulder. She wanted to scream, she wanted to cry, but nothing came. 

Her tears were quickly absorbed by the blindfold and her screams, gagged.

"Ugh, this one moves too much." She heard a gruff male voice.

"You got it easy, that one is a woman, she's light." Another person said. 

"She isn't light." The person carrying her replied. "At least the ones you got are unconscious."

"They are still heavier." His companion complained as Lorisa continued to struggle against her restraints.

"Let's take them over to the boss." The man carrying her informed his companions. "How I wish I could knock her unconscious too."

"Why not do it?" A new female voice asked. 

"Alright." The man said.

Lorisa suddenly felt a pain on her head before finally passing out.