Chapter 21 - The Trojan Horse
The next morning, Diego sat in a secure conference room with Marcus and a team of private cyber-investigators.
They had traced the phone number on the silver card.
It belonged to an encrypted, untraceable server, but they managed to ping the location of the device to a high-end luxury apartment downtown.
"Valentina wants to call him," Diego said, staring at the screen.
"It is highly risky, sir," Marcus warned. "If she engages with him, she becomes an active target."
"She is already a target," Diego replied grimly. "If we ignore him, Paulina will just try another angle. If we play along, we can control the narrative and track their movements."
Diego walked into the living room where Valentina and Marisol were waiting.
"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" Diego asked his daughter.
"I am sure," Valentina nodded.
Diego handed her a secure, encrypted mobile phone.
"Use this," Diego instructed. "We will record every word. Keep the conversation strictly professional. Agree to a public meeting regarding the orphanage project."
Valentina took a deep breath.
She dialed the number.
The phone rang three times before it was answered.
"Hello?" Julian's smooth voice came through the speaker.
"Julian, this is Valentina Villaseñor," she said, keeping her voice perfectly calm.
"Valentina! I am so glad you called," Julian sounded genuinely delighted. "Did you think about my employer's offer?"
"I did," Valentina replied. "My board of directors is interested in discussing the southern district orphanage. But we need to review your financial portfolio before accepting any donations."
"Of course," Julian said smoothly. "That is standard procedure. Why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow? I can bring the corporate documents."
"Tomorrow at noon. The Plaza Café," Valentina suggested.
"I will see you there, Valentina."
The line went dead.
Valentina looked at her father.
"The Plaza Café is fully exposed," Diego said, nodding in approval. "It is entirely glass. My snipers will have a clear line of sight on every table. You did perfectly, princesa."
"What happens if he brings the real documents?" Marisol asked nervously.
"He won't," Diego promised. "He will bring forged papers. But once he hands them over, my lawyers will have enough evidence to file a federal extortion claim against his shell company. We trap him legally."
But as Diego planned the legal trap, he failed to realize one crucial detail.
Julian was not just a hired associate.
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Julian was Paulina’s nephew.
And he had his own personal vendetta against the Villaseñor family.
