CHAPTER 2 — THE SECRET THAT TURNED A GENTLE BULL INTO A MONSTER
That evening, Don Mateo couldn't stop thinking about the boy's words.
Someone made him angry.
Impossible.
Or...
Was it?
He ordered his oldest ranch worker to bring every record from the day Demon first arrived.
Boxes covered in dust filled his office.
Invoices.
Veterinary reports.
Shipping documents.
Then...
An old stable worker quietly stepped inside.
"I've wanted to tell you something for years."
Don Mateo looked up.
The old man lowered his head.
"When Demon arrived..."
"He wasn't dangerous."
"He followed people."
"He let children pet him."
Don Mateo's heart skipped.
"Then what happened?"
The old man hesitated.
"There was another foreman back then."
"He believed fear created obedience."
"He beat the bull."
"Every day."
"He chained him."
"Starved him."
"Burned him with hot irons whenever he refused to obey."
Silence filled the room.
Don Mateo's face turned pale.
He had fired that foreman years ago for stealing money.
But no one had ever told him what happened inside the barns.
The next morning he rushed to the arena.
The boy was already there.
Sitting beside Demon.
The enormous bull rested peacefully with his head on the boy's shoulder.
Like an oversized dog.
Don Mateo couldn't believe his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The boy looked down.
"My name is Lucas."
"I grew up helping my grandfather rescue abused farm animals."
"My grandfather always said..."
"Animals remember kindness much longer than pain."
Don Mateo swallowed hard.
For the first time in years...
He felt ashamed.
Ashamed that he had turned Demon's suffering into entertainment.
Ashamed that thousands had gathered to laugh at an animal begging for peace.
Without another word...
He took the envelope containing one hundred thousand euros.
He handed it to Lucas.
The boy stepped back.
"I didn't come for money."
The crowd stared.
"You risked your life!"
Lucas nodded.
"I came because I saw fear."
"And fear should never be left alone."
Many people wiped tears from their eyes.
But suddenly...
A black SUV sped toward the ranch.
Three men jumped out.
One pointed directly at Demon.
"There he is."
"The bull belongs to us."
Lucas's smile disappeared.
Because he recognized the leader immediately.
It was the same man...
Who had abused Demon years ago.
And this time...
May you like
He had come back with guns.
To Be Continued...
