Chapter 8 - The Bait is SetThe next evening, news broke across Guadalajara that sent shockwaves through the local real estate community.
A press release was issued by Renata’s attorney: "VICTIM OF SALGADO FRAUD TO SELL CONTROVERSIAL APARTMENT AT LIQUIDATION AUCTION."
The article stated that Renata, traumatized by the recent events, was selling her luxury Guadalajara apartment at 40% below market value for immediate cash, planning to leave the country forever.
The auction was set for Friday evening at a private real estate office in the financial district.
Inside a tinted SUV parked two blocks away from the sports center, Gabriel Ruiz read the article on his phone. A cruel, triumphant grin spread across his face.
"She's fleeing," Gabriel laughed, turning to his driver. "The great Renata is terrified. She thinks selling the place will give her enough cash to run away."
"Should we bid on it, Boss?" the driver asked.
"Bid on it? No," Gabriel sneered, adjusting his designer Italian suit. "We're going to buy it directly before the auction even starts. I'll meet her face-to-face tonight. She has no idea I was behind Prado and those stupid Salgado idiots. When she sees me, she'll realize she never escaped."
At 8:00 PM, Renata was inside the empty sports center gym, finishing up her late-night training session. The heavy punching bag swayed back and forth as her swift, powerful strikes echoed through the large, mirrored room.
The front doors of the facility clicked open.
Slowly, deliberate footsteps approached the gymnasium floor.
Renata stopped punching. She didn't turn around. She watched the reflection in the wall-to-wall mirror.
Gabriel Ruiz stepped into the light, wearing a tailored navy suit, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
"You always did have a great roundhouse kick, Renata," Gabriel said, his voice dripping with condescending charm.
Renata wiped the sweat from her forehead with a towel and slowly turned around. "Gabriel."
"Did you miss me?" Gabriel smiled, walking closer. "It's been a long time since Mexico City. Three long years in a cell, thanks to you."
"You belonged in a cell," Renata said coldly. "And if you step any closer, you'll end up back in one."
Gabriel laughed loudly, the sound bouncing off the gym walls. "Oh, Renata. Always the tough girl. But look at you now. Your little fairy-tale engagement to that spineless Mauricio turned into a circus. Your private life is splashed across every tabloid. And now you're selling your home and running away like a beaten dog."
"Is that why you manipulated Ofelia Salgado?" Renata asked, stepping away from the heavy bag. "You were too much of a coward to face me yourself, so you used a gambling addict and her pathetic son?"
Gabriel’s smile vanished, replaced by an ugly, bitter scowl. "Ofelia and Mauricio were useful tools. It was shockingly easy to manipulate them. All I had to do was give the old woman a few wins at the casino, lend her money through Prado, and hint that her son's girlfriend had millions in hidden assets. They did all the heavy lifting for me!"
"And you thought you could take everything I owned," Renata said.
"I didn't just want your money, Renata," Gabriel spat, taking a step toward her, his eyes burning with hatred. "I wanted to break you. I wanted you to feel what it's like to lose everything—your dignity, your home, your trust in people. And it worked. You're broken."
Renata looked at him for a long, silent moment. Then, slowly, a faint smile spread across her face.
"Gabriel," she said softly. "Did you really think I would sell my home at a 40% discount?"
Gabriel paused, his brow furrowing. "What?"
Renata reached into her gym bag on the bench and pulled out a small black device. She flipped a switch.
A loud chime tone rang across the gym’s PA system.
"Audio and video recording verified. File uploaded to Federal Prosecutor Database."
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Gabriel’s eyes widened in sudden terror. "What is that?!"
"The auction announcement was fake, Gabriel," Renata announced, her voice echoing with absolute authority. "It was public bait written specifically to draw you out of the shadows. And you just confessed on tape to masterminding an organized extortion ring, parole violation, and illegal conspiracy."
