Chapter 20 - The Silent War
Diego immediately signaled his security team.
Within seconds, undercover guards flooded the ballroom floor, searching for Julian.
But the young man was gone.
He had slipped out through the service elevator during the applause.
"Lock down the exits," Diego ordered into his earpiece.
"He is already gone, Mr. Villaseñor," Marcus reported grimly. "We checked the security cameras. He got into a black sedan three minutes ago."
Diego cursed under his breath.
He turned to Marisol and Valentina.
"We are leaving. Right now," Diego commanded.
The ride back to the mansion was suffocatingly tense.
Nobody spoke.
When they arrived, the heavy iron gates closed behind them with a loud clang.
Diego immediately ordered Marcus to double the perimeter patrols.
He walked into his office, slamming the door behind him.
Valentina followed him inside.
"Dad, you can't lock us in a cage again," Valentina said firmly.
"Paulina sent someone directly to you, Valentina," Diego yelled, slamming his hands on his desk. "She used that boy to get close to you! Do you understand how dangerous this is?"
"I am not a little kid anymore!" Valentina shouted back. "I am sixteen! You can't just hide me from the world every time a threat appears."
"I am trying to keep you alive!"
"You are trying to control everything!"
The silence in the office was deafening.
Diego stared at his daughter, completely shocked by her outburst.
Valentina immediately regretted her words.
She saw the profound pain flash across her father's eyes.
"I'm sorry," Valentina whispered, looking down at the floor. "I didn't mean that."
Diego let out a long, heavy breath.
He walked around the desk and pulled her into a hug.
"I know you didn't," Diego said softly. "I know you are strong, princesa. But Paulina does not play by any rules. She is vicious, and she hates us."
"Why did she send Julian?" Valentina asked, pulling back. "If she wanted to hurt us, why offer a five million dollar donation?"
"Because it is a Trojan horse," Diego explained. "She wants to tie her dirty money into your foundation. If she can prove the Villaseñor Foundation accepted illegal cartel funds, the government will shut it down. She wants to destroy your legacy, Valentina. She wants to ruin the one thing that brings you joy."
Valentina’s eyes widened.
She finally understood the sheer cruelty of the plan.
Paulina didn't just want to kill them.
She wanted to publicly humiliate them and destroy everything they had built with love.
"Then we have to fight back," Valentina said, her voice turning to steel.
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"How?" Diego asked.
"Julian gave me his number," Valentina said, pulling out her phone. "We let him think his plan is working."
