As they transitioned to the bustling environment of DG Cafe an hour later, the ambiance was vibrant with the chatter of patrons and the clinking of cups. With their drinks in hand—a Frappuccino for Sunny and a latte for Altair—they navigated through the lively cafe to the more secluded conference room.
 
Upon entering, they were immediately met with the sight of Carlos, whose sleek attire did little to conceal his overbearing presence. His smug greeting, aimed at undermining Altair by belittling Sunny's presence, was met with a cool, collected response from Altair, highlighting Sunny's underestimated worth.
 
Carlos's attempt to demean them with a comment about Altair's attire only added to the tension, but Sunny's quick retort showcased her unfazed demeanor. As they settled into the meeting, Altair's calm yet pointed defense of Sunny set the tone for the confrontation that was about to unfold.
 
Carlos, eager to assert his dominance, redirected the conversation towards the matter at hand, inquiring about Cassy's absence with a mix of irritation and curiosity. Altair's concise dismissal of Cassy's necessity in the meeting underscored the seriousness of their discussion, making it clear that Carlos's dealings were now directly with him.
 
As Carlos leaned in, signaling the commencement of their critical discourse, the atmosphere tensed with anticipation. The stakes were high, and both parties were acutely aware of the implications of the forthcoming exchange. Altair's poised demeanor and Sunny's attentive silence served as a stark contrast to Carlos's attempt to assert control, setting the stage for a pivotal confrontation that would undoubtedly shape the course of their interactions moving forward.
"I've uncovered the truth about Cassy," he started, his tone heavy with the anticipation of causing a stir. "She's not the struggling student you all believe her to be."
 
The cafe's ambient noise seemed to fade into the background as Carlos painted a picture of Cassy's life that contrasted sharply with the narrative he assumed they had accepted. "She's attending one of the most prestigious institutions in the city," he revealed, pausing for a moment to gauge Altair's reaction, which remained stoically neutral.
 
"And she's not residing in some run-down dormitory. No, she's living in luxury within an exclusive community," Carlos continued, a hint of envy creeping into his voice. "Quite curious, don't you think, how she manages such extravagance?"
 
But the crux of his exposé, the piece he clearly thought would deliver the most significant blow, was yet to come. Leaning in closer, as if to emphasize the gravity of his final revelation, Carlos dropped what he believed to be his bombshell. "And here's the real kicker: Cassy isn't living alone. She's sharing her opulent abode with none other than Altair himself."
 
The silence that followed was palpable, charged with the expectation of a dramatic response. Carlos's smug expression suggested he was waiting for the fallout—for the scandal he'd unveiled to shake Altair's composure. Instead, Altair's reaction was one of mild amusement, his demeanor unshaken, his smile unfazed by the supposed revelations.
 
As the seconds ticked by, Altair's amusement grew into an open laugh, a clear dismissal of Carlos's attempts to unsettle him. "Is that all?" Altair inquired, his laughter echoing in the conference room, undermining the seriousness Carlos had attempted to convey.
 
"What was your plan, Carlos?" Altair questioned, his tone now a mix of bemusement and slight disdain. "Expose Cassy's living arrangements, and then what? Hope she runs into your arms out of gratitude or fear?"
 
The frustration on Carlos's face was evident as his scheme unraveled, his supposed trump card falling flat. "Or perhaps," Altair mused, "this was nothing more than a petty attempt to disrupt her life because she rejected you. That sounds less like strategy and more like a child's tantrum."
 
Sunny, witnessing the exchange, couldn't help but feel a mix of astonishment and respect for Altair's handling of the situation. Even Carlos, faced with Altair's composed counterarguments, seemed to shrink back, his confidence waning.
 
Altair, with a final shrug, feigned a resigned acceptance of Carlos's tactics. "I suppose we should thank you for the effort you've put into this little drama. It would be a shame to let it all go to waste."
 
The meeting, initially charged with tension and anticipation, had taken an unexpected turn, with Altair's calm dominance over the situation leaving Carlos at a loss. The power dynamics in the room had shifted dramatically, leaving no doubt about who held the upper hand.
 
Miracle fixed Carlos with a stare that was both piercing and unwavering, her voice steady and imbued with an authority that filled the room. "You're not dealing with a girl playing dress-up; you're interacting with individuals who hold substantial sway in spheres you've yet to comprehend," she stated, her tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.
 
Carlos's gaze flickered under the intensity of Miracle's scrutiny, the seeds of doubt beginning to take root as the gravity of her words settled over him. "Your words and your actions here have implications, Mr. Antalan," Miracle continued, her voice a calm but firm warning. "I advise you to tread very carefully, as the ground you're standing on is far more precarious than you realize."
 
The room was enveloped in a heavy silence, the weight of Miracle's declaration hanging in the air like a tangible presence. Carlos, once so assured of his position, now seemed to shrink slightly, the reality of his precarious situation dawning on him as he absorbed the implications of her words.
 
Chloe, sensing the moment's significance, proceeded to retrieve three imposing folders from her sleek briefcase. Each folder, adorned with the AG&G emblem, symbolized the legal might and authority they were prepared to wield. She distributed them with precision: one to Miracle, whose expression remained an unreadable mask of professionalism; one to Altair, who accepted it with a nod, fully aware of the contents' weight; and the final folder, which she slid across the table to Carlos, its presence a silent ultimatum demanding his attention.
 
As the trio opened their folders in unison, the sound of rustling papers filled the charged silence of the room. Carlos, with a forced smile, began to skim through the documents, expecting to maintain his composure.
 
However, as his eyes scanned the first page, his facade of confidence crumbled. The word 'Lawsuit' at the top of the document, followed by a list of severe charges, made his previous arrogance evaporate, replaced by a dawning realization of the serious predicament he was in.
 
Miracle, observing the shift in Carlos's demeanor, allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. "You've been served," she declared, her voice resonating with finality, echoing the profound shift in the room's dynamics.
 
Carlos, faced with the tangible threat of legal action and the formidable opposition before him, was forced to confront the consequences of his actions. The once-dominant figure was now ensnared in a situation that demanded a reassessment of his strategies and, perhaps, an acknowledgment of his underestimation of his adversaries
Carlos, visibly shaken by the detailed accusations laid out before him, stammered, "What is this?" His voice, once confident and mocking, now betrayed a hint of panic.
Miracle, her demeanor calm and authoritative, replied coolly, "Sexual assault, battery, and death threats, to name a few." She leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving Carlos's. "And these are just the beginning. We've spoken with several of your former employees. It seems they were quite eager to share their experiences with us. Our firm will be representing them pro bono."
Carlos attempted to scoff, hoping to regain some semblance of control. "You think a few pieces of paper scare me? I have connections. This will disappear."
Chloe, with a hint of derision, corrected him: "It's more than a 'few pieces of paper', Carlos. It's a substantial dossier. And regarding your connections..." she trailed off, implying the futility of his reliance on them.
Miracle seamlessly took over: "Your connections are irrelevant here, Mr. Antalan. The deeper we dig, the more we find. This isn't a battle you can win."
Carlos, trying to mask his growing unease, blustered, "These lawsuits won't hold up. I'll have them thrown out."
But Miracle was unyielding. "This is just the beginning, Carlos. Next, we'll be highlighting your numerous OSHA violations, followed by an investigation into your unregistered businesses and the myriad food safety regulations you've ignored."
Carlos, now sweating, attempted to interject, but Miracle continued, undeterred. "And the pièce de résistance? Your tax evasion. We've unearthed the full extent of your financial misconduct."
Altair added his own warning: "The government despises tax cheats, Carlos. They'll pursue you relentlessly."
Miracle's smile widened slightly. "And just so you know, we're well-acquainted with some very influential people at the BIR."
"Are you still in touch with our friends at the BIR?"
Miracle's smile was all the confirmation needed
"Actually, I attended a birthday party just last weekend; it was for the daughter of Janice Torre, perhaps the most stringent BIR representative."
Carlos's face drained of color at the mention of the BIR, his earlier bravado now completely vanished. The reality of his precarious position was undeniable.
Miracle leaned back, her point made. "Consider this a courtesy warning, Mr. Antalan. Continue down this path, and you'll find yourself in a quagmire from which there's no escape."
Carlos, now fully aware of the dire situation he was in, remained silent, the implications of Miracle and Altair's words weighing heavily on him. The power dynamic in the room had shifted dramatically, leaving Carlos to contemplate his next move in a game that was quickly spiraling beyond his control.