Chapter 12 - The Shadows Strike Back
Within twenty-four hours of Hector Vance's arrival in Mexico City, the financial district went into lock-down. The stock value of Montero Enterprises began a suspicious, weaponized plummet as rumors of money laundering were leaked to international tabloids.
In a dingy, secluded villa on the outskirts of Puebla, Doña Elena sat in exile, staring at the television. Her once-flawless hair was unkempt, her designer clothes replaced by plain cotton. Suddenly, the heavy iron gates of her villa were kicked open.
Hector Vance stepped into the room, flanked by four heavily armed men. His face was scarred, his eyes devoid of humanity.
"Doña Elena Montero," Hector purred, sitting across from the terrified matriarch. "You look terrible for a woman who used to run Mexico City."
"What do you want?" Doña Elena trembled. "Alejandro stripped me of everything. I have no power, no money!"
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"You have something far more valuable," Hector smiled, sliding a dark briefcase onto the table. "You have deep knowledge of your son's security protocols and Lucía’s childhood records. Help me destroy Lucía’s claim to the Gran Imperial, and I will restore your position as the head of Montero Enterprises. Refuse, and your son won't live to see next week."
Doña Elena stared at the briefcase, her heart torn between the toxic ambition that had ruled her life and the sudden, terrifying realization that her actions had put her only son in the crosshairs of a murderer.
