A/N: If you're familiar with the rules of a senate hearing, pasensya. I think a few parts of this chapter does not adhere to them, nag enjoy ako masyado while writing. 😭
The days leading up to the hearing passed as quick as they anticipated. Win kept his distance though entirely against his will, and Leni became his only source of updates from Riza.
The headlines about the controversy had somehow managed to claim the front pages for several days. The damage went beyond the Javier image and directly hit the corporation itself. Stocks plummeted, investors backing out, projects being halted. Exactly what the Rodriguez family wants.
"How's Riza?", Rafa asked from the other line.
"She's trying her best". George adjusted his tie in front of his mirror. "Umiiyak parin, pero lumalaban".
He heard Rafa sighed heavily. "I swear konti nalang kakasuhan ko tong mga trolls online."
George chuckled. "Mauubos pera mo n'yan."
The social media wasn't exactly that kind. Names, slurs, you name it. It had checked every box. And though overseas, Rafa and Roger never failed to miss a single night to call.Being silly themselves, diverting Riza's attention from the growing uproar of the public.
"George" ,Rafa's voice suddenly became low. "If it goes south". George looked at his phone, as if he can see Rafa through it. "I'm willing to get my hands dirty."
The lawyer leaned on the sink and lowered his head. He knew his friend's words. He knew he definitely will.
"Rafa", George breathed out. "I won't let them."
"I know", Rafa's voice remained flat. "Sinasabi ko lang, just in case."
George looked at himself in the mirror, his ironed suit and perfectly aligned tie. He doesn't take his cases personally, but this one? It's different. No rooms for mistake, not when Riza's integrity is on the line.
=
The senate complex has been an organized chaos since the day begun. The session hall was packed, and so was the press gallery.
Riza patiently waited with a practiced composure. Her name plate sat in front printed in bold. Every minute felt like an execution, reporters were like an annoying fly in one's ears. Every pair of eye carried judgement, convicting her in their own minds.
In the midst of it all, there was Win. Seated rows behind the committee panel with Bam and Migz, eyes not leaving her. In the room full of opposition, he was there, silently rooting. If he could sit beside her, he'd definitely would. If he could publicly defend her, he'd flip every table in that hall.
Unfortunately, he's a sitting senator. Being impartial is one of his roles. When the chairperson truck the gravel, the hall gradually settled.
"This hearing of the senate committee on accountability of public officers and investigations, commonly known as the blue ribbon committee, is hereby called to order"
And just that. The battle had begun.
The committee chair looked down at the document.
"This committee is conducting an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities involving Javier Healthcare Group and its subsidiaries. Including allegations of inflated government contracts amounting to approximately Three point One Billion Pesos."
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Always And Forever
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