Chapter 9 - The Ghost from the PastThe gala continued in a blur of clinking crystal glasses, whispered gossip, and hollow pleasantries. Mariana played her part to perfection, standing by Alejandro’s side, nodding when required, and maintaining a poised, elegant posture that defied her terrified inner state.
For a brief moment, standing under the glittering chandeliers, she almost allowed herself to believe it. She almost believed she was safe. She almost believed Alejandro Rivas was her protector.
Then, she saw him.
Near the catering doors, standing among the waiters in a stolen staff uniform, was a face that made the blood instantly freeze in Mariana’s veins.
Lucas Delgado.
Her abusive ex-husband. His eyes were darting wildly through the crowd, scanning the room with a predatory glint, until they finally landed directly on her.
Lucas’s mouth curled into a slow, terrifying, victorious grin.
Mariana gasped, stumbling backward and spilling her champagne flute onto the marble floor. The glass shattered with a sharp crash, drawing the immediate attention of nearby guests.
"Mariana?" Alejandro’s voice cut through the noise, his hand instantly catching her elbow. "What is it?"
"He's here," Mariana whimpered, her entire body shaking uncontrollably as she pointed a trembling finger toward the catering doors. "Lucas... my ex-husband. He found me."
Alejandro’s head snapped toward the direction she pointed. But by the time his sharp gaze reached the catering doors, Lucas had already vanished back into the service corridors.
The illusion of safety shattered instantly.
"Get me out of here," Mariana begged, tears finally breaking free, streaming down her meticulously made-up face. "Please, Alejandro. He knows where I am. He’s going to take Valentina. He’s going to destroy us."
Alejandro’s expression didn't panic. Instead, his jaw clenched, and his eyes turned into chips of black ice. The ruthless mogul had been awakened.
"No one takes anything from my house," Alejandro said coldly.
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He didn't panic, and he didn't run. Instead, he pulled out his encrypted smartphone, tapped the screen once, and spoke into the receiver with terrifying calm:
"Lock down the entire Metropolitan Club. Seal every exit, disable the service elevators, and deploy the private security detail to sweep the perimeter. Nobody leaves until I find a rat named Lucas Delgado."
