Chapter 11 - The Deaf Ear
Alejandro Ríos sat behind his desk, cleaning a silver-plated pistol with meticulous, terrifying precision. He did not look up when Valeria walked into the room.
“I told you to stay with my son,” Alejandro said coldly, racking the slide of the weapon with a sharp, metallic crack. “You are testing my patience today, Valeria.”
“Mr. Ríos, you need to listen to me very carefully,” Valeria said, walking right up to the edge of the desk. She pulled the small leather diary from her uniform and placed it firmly on the polished wood. “Your wife wasn't killed by a rival cartel. She was murdered by Héctor.”
Alejandro completely froze. The air in the room grew instantly heavy, suffocatingly tense. He slowly lowered the pistol, his dark eyes locking onto hers with a lethal, terrifying intensity.
“Do you have any idea what you are saying?” Alejandro whispered dangerously. “Héctor took two bullets in the chest for me ten years ago. He is my blood.”
“He is stealing your money and planning a coup tonight,” Valeria insisted, tapping the diary. “This is your late wife’s journal. I found it in her locked study. She knew about his offshore accounts. Mateo didn't just witness an ambush; he saw Héctor finish her off. That is why he is terrified of him. That is why he draws the man with the scarred hand.”
Alejandro stared at the leather book. He reached out with trembling fingers and opened the cover, recognizing his dead wife’s elegant handwriting instantly. He read the first page. Then the second.
For a moment, Valeria saw the ruthless cartel boss completely break. His eyes filled with unspeakable pain and betrayal. But the vulnerability vanished in a flash, replaced by a dark, dangerous denial.
“Anyone could have forged this,” Alejandro stated abruptly, slamming the book shut. “My enemies know my wife’s handwriting. They could have planted this to turn me against my best general.”
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“Are you blind?” Valeria yelled, losing all professional restraint. “Your son is screaming for help! He is telling you the truth!”
“Enough!” Alejandro roared, standing up and slamming his fist on the desk. “You are a maid! Go back to the boy's room and pack your bags. I am firing you. You leave in ten minutes, or my guards will drag you out.”
