Chapter 6 - THE RETALIATIONThe corporate empire of Sebastián Ledesma collapsed in less than two hours. Federal agents swarmed the Ledesma Tower, seizing hard drives, arresting executive staff, and taping off the building as a crime scene.
Don Roberto Valles and several other corrupt cartel-linked investors fled the building through the underground parking garage, swearing bloody vengeance against both Sebastián and Daniela.
Back at the hospital, the tension was suffocating. Daniela knew that by blowing the whistle on billions of dollars in illegal capital, she had placed a giant target on her own back.
“We need to move you now, Daniela,” Renata urged, frantically packing up their laptops. “The federal authorities are arranging a secure safehouse, but we have to get you out of this hospital before Sebastián’s friends in the local police try to intervene.”
“Where are my parents?” Daniela asked, adjusting her medical brace.
“Your father was arrested outside his house an hour ago while trying to load two duffel bags of cash into his car,” Renata said with a grim smile. “Your mother is currently being interrogated by federal prosecutors regarding her participation in Sebastián’s tax-evasion schemes. Their house in Ajijic? Repossessed by the state.”
Before Daniela could respond, the lights in the ICU suite flickered and went completely dark.
The soft hum of the medical equipment switched to battery backup mode, emitting a low, rhythmic warning beep.
Outside in the hallway, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed, followed by the muffled thuds of two bodies hitting the floor.
“Renata, get behind me,” Daniela whispered, her heart pounding against her injured ribs.
The door to the ICU room was kicked open with violent force.
Standing in the darkness were three men clad in tactical gear, carrying suppressed handguns equipped with laser sights. Leading them was not a stranger—it was Captain Morales, the local police commander whom Sebastián had bought off years ago.
“Mrs. Ledesma,” Captain Morales said, a cold, ruthless smile appearing on his face as he aimed his weapon directly at her chest. “You should have stayed quiet in your bed. You made a lot of very powerful people very angry today.”
“Morales,” Daniela said, keeping her voice as steady as possible while her hand subtly reached into her blanket. “Sebastián’s money is gone. His accounts are frozen. He can’t pay you.”
“Sebastián isn't paying me for this,” Morales sneered. “Don Roberto Valles is. He wants the master decryption drive you used to freeze his 2.4 billion pesos. Give me the flash drive, and I’ll make your death quick and painless.”
Renata whimpered behind the bed, but Daniela’s face remained stone-cold.
“The drive?” Daniela asked, holding up a small, silver thumb drive she had been hiding under her pillow. “You mean this?”
“Hand it over,” Morales commanded, stepping closer.
“Take it,” Daniela said—and tossed the drive straight into the open bucket of medical waste beside her bed, which contained biohazardous fluids and highly flammable rubbing alcohol.
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In the same split second, Daniela flicked a lit electric medical lighter—used for sterilizing equipment—straight into the bucket.
A roaring burst of blue flame erupted instantly, illuminating the dark room in a blinding explosion!
