Chapter 8 - THE TIGER TRAPPED"Bravo," Rodrigo purred, stepping over the groaning body of one of his hired mercenaries. "Truly a family tradition of stubborn, melodramatic theater. Did you really think an email to Mexico City was going to erase a billion-dollar real estate empire, Teresa?"
Teresa stepped out from behind the packing crates, her pistol still locked in a steady, unyielding grip aimed directly at the center of Rodrigo’s chest.
"The federal server has a permanent time-stamp, Rodrigo," Teresa said, her voice ice-cold. "Even if you kill every single one of us right here, right now, that data is already replicating across three independent judicial nodes. You're finished."
Rodrigo’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered his cool facade, slipping his hands into his trouser pockets.
"You old bitch," Rodrigo laughed dryly. "You think the federal government cares about a few shell companies? I have ministers on my speed dial who can classify this entire investigation as a matter of national security by breakfast. You haven't beaten me; you've just made things expensive."
"Expensive?"
A sharp, booming voice echoed from the shattered doorway behind Rodrigo.
Rodrigo spun around as a dozen federal police cruisers roared into the depot yard, their blue and red emergency strobes painting the warehouse walls in flashing crimson and azure. Heavily armed federal marshals in black uniforms poured out of the vehicles, their assault rifles instantly training on Rodrigo and his remaining guards.
Stepping out from the lead cruiser was General Commander Omar Rosas of the Federal Anti-Corruption Task Force, wearing full dress uniform and a badge that gleamed under the strobing lights.
"Rodrigo Alcázar," Rosas bellowed, his voice carrying over the hum of the idling police engines. "You are under arrest for money laundering, human trafficking links, and conspiracy against the state. Put your hands behind your back."
Rodrigo’s face drained of all color. He looked from the federal commander back to Teresa, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
"You... you can't touch me," Rodrigo stammered, stepping backward. "My father bought this district twenty years ago!"
"Your father’s money expired about three minutes ago when the Attorney General signed your asset forfeiture orders," Rosas said coldly, nodding to two marshals who marched forward and slapped steel cuffs onto Rodrigo’s wrists with a sharp CLICK.
As they shoved the real estate mogul toward the back of a cruiser, Rodrigo turned his head, casting one final, venomous glare at Valeria.
"You'll never keep this quiet! They'll find you! They'll find you all!"
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Valeria didn't flinch. She stood tall beside her mother, her head held high, watching the man who had tried to break her spirit get pushed into the back of a police transport.
The doors slammed shut. The sirens wailed into the mountain dawn.
