flash
The hangover hit Mateo like a freight train at sunrise. Sunlight filtered through the velvet curtains of the luxury hotel suite, burning his eyes. Beside him, Valeria was still asleep, smelling of cheap neon cocktails and expensive perfume. Mateo groaned, reaching for his phone on the nightstand. / Chapter 15 / 20

Chapter 15 - The Night of Red Shadows

News of the explosive riot at Topo Chico swept through the television networks by morning.

BREAKING NEWS: 14 DEAD IN TOPO CHICO PRISON RIOT. NOTORIOUS FORMER TYCOON MATEO GARZA PRESUMED DEAD IN FIRE.

Inside the Vance mansion, Alejandro stood in the command center, watching the news footage of the charred prison block. Dental records were allegedly being used to identify three burned bodies found near the laundry room.

"Do you believe it?" Camila asked, standing beside him, her arm resting on his shoulder.

"Not for a second," Alejandro said, his jaw tight. "Mateo is too cowardly to die in a prison fire, but too arrogant to disappear without trying to strike us first. Double the perimeter guards. No one enters or leaves this compound without a biometric scan."

That night, a torrential storm hit San Pedro. Thunder shook the glass panes of the mansion.

At 11:30 PM, the power across the entire district suddenly cut out. The mansion’s backup generators kicked in instantly, but three seconds of complete darkness was all Mateo needed.

A flash of lightning illuminated the glass balcony.

Standing on the terrace, soaked in rainwater and holding a silenced pistol, was Mateo. His face was leaner, scarred from his time in prison, his eyes burning with pure madness.

He shattered the glass door with a heavy kick and stepped into the master bedroom. "Hello, Camila," he whispered, his voice dripping with malice. "Did you miss me?"

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Isabella’s artificial tears gleamed under the soft golden chandeliers of the private VIP suite, her hands trembling with a performance worthy of a grand stage. She gestured wildly toward Khloe, who lay crumpled on the cold marble, her white silk dress torn and stained with drops of spilled champagne. Marcus stood frozen in the doorway,

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Camila didn't scream. She stepped out from behind her vanity table, holding a small silver controller in her hand.

"You're late, Mateo," she said calmly.

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