Chapter 8 - The Confrontation
The next morning, the grand dining room was a theater of tense, quiet elegance. Alejandro sat at the head of the massive mahogany table, sipping black coffee while reviewing financial reports. To his immediate right sat Héctor, casually slicing into a perfectly cooked steak, projecting the image of absolute loyalty.
Valeria walked into the dining room holding Mateo’s small hand. The boy had been calm all morning, actually smiling when Valeria made him a simple plate of eggs and toast.
But the moment Mateo’s dark eyes locked onto Héctor, a terrifying transformation occurred.
The little boy dropped his plate. It shattered loudly on the marble floor. Mateo let out a blood-curdling, piercing scream, clapping his hands over his ears and violently throwing himself behind Valeria’s legs. He began to hyperventilate, his tiny body shaking with absolute, primal terror.
“What is the meaning of this?” Alejandro demanded, standing up abruptly, his coffee spilling over the reports.
“I apologize, Mr. Ríos,” Valeria said quickly, keeping her body firmly positioned between the terrified child and the scarred enforcer. “He just had a sudden panic attack.”
Héctor wiped his mouth with a linen napkin, his cold, dead eyes fixing entirely on Valeria. “The boy is fundamentally broken, Alejandro. You pay this poor maid a fortune, and she still can't control him. Perhaps a stricter institution is required.”
Mateo screamed louder at the sound of Héctor’s deep voice.
“He doesn't need an institution,” Valeria snapped, her maternal instincts completely overriding her fear of the dangerous cartel men. She glared directly at Héctor. “He is terrified because he remembers exactly who hurts him.”
The dining room went dead silent. The armed guards in the corners shifted uncomfortably, resting their hands on their holstered weapons.
Alejandro’s eyes narrowed dangerously, looking from his hysterical son to the defiant young maid, and finally to his trusted friend.
“What exactly are you implying, Valeria?” Alejandro’s voice was dangerously low, carrying a lethal warning.
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Before Valeria could speak, Héctor stood up, towering over the table. “She is a stupid girl overstepping her boundaries, Boss. Let me handle her.”
“No,” Alejandro ordered sharply. “Take my son back to his room, Valeria. Now.”
