Chapter 23 - Sergio's Ruin
|
The federal penitentiary outside of Zaragoza was an intimidating fortress of gray concrete and razor wire. Inside the high-security visitation block, the air was stale and heavy.
Sergio Delgado sat behind a thick pane of bulletproof glass, wearing a bright orange jumpsuit. He looked drastically older. His hair was thinning, his posture slumped, and the arrogant swagger of the former CEO was entirely broken.
The heavy door on the opposite side of the glass opened, and Alejandro Vance walked in.
Sergio’s head snapped up, his eyes widening in a mixture of shock and lingering fear. Alejandro sat calmly in the metal chair, picking up the heavy black receiver.
Trembling, Sergio picked up his end. "What do you want, Alejandro? Have you not taken enough from me?"
"I took exactly what belonged to me," Alejandro stated coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I am here simply to deliver a message."
Sergio swallowed hard, his knuckles white as he gripped the plastic phone.
"Your final appeal was officially denied by the Supreme Court this morning," Alejandro informed him smoothly. "Your sentence holds. Eighteen years. No parole. Your lawyers have dropped you due to lack of funds, and the bankruptcy courts have finalized the liquidation of your family's estate to pay back the remaining corporate debts."
Sergio closed his eyes, a single tear of absolute despair leaking down his gaunt cheek. "You have completely ruined me."
May you like
"You ruined yourself, Sergio," Alejandro corrected him, leaning forward slightly. "You believed you could steal my money and torture my blood, and walk away clean. I want you to remember this moment every single night for the next eighteen years in your six-by-eight cell. I want you to know that while you rot in the dark, my family is living entirely in the light."
Alejandro hung up the receiver, standing up without waiting for a response, and walked out of the prison, leaving the ghost of his enemy firmly locked in a cage.
