Chapter 26 - The Siege Begins
Valeria returned to the coastal house just as the sun began to set, feeling a massive weight lifted off her chest. She had set the wolves on Ricardo.
But as she walked up the wooden porch steps, the front door was suddenly kicked open. Daniel was thrown violently out onto the wood, blood streaming from a deep cut above his eye.
"Daniel!" Valeria screamed, dropping her bag.
Before she could run to him, two heavily armed mercenaries stepped out of the house. They wore black tactical gear, their faces hidden behind balaclavas.
"Get inside," one of the mercenaries ordered, grabbing Valeria roughly by the arm and dragging her into the living room.
The house was in chaos. Aunt Elena was sitting on the sofa, her hands zip-tied behind her back, though Sofia was crying safely in her crib in the other room. Ricardo Valdés stood in the center of the living room, holding a suppressed pistol, looking incredibly smug.
"Did you really think a few private security guards could keep me out?" Ricardo sneered, stepping over Daniel, who was struggling to rise from the floor. "I own the security company you hired, Daniel. They unlocked the gates for me."
Valeria’s blood ran cold. Ricardo had outplayed them.
"The court hearing was just a distraction, wasn't it?" Valeria realized, staring at him with pure hatred.
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"Of course," Ricardo laughed. "I don't want to raise a screaming infant. I simply needed to force you into a panic so you would lower your guard. Now, you are going to sign the trust transfer documents willingly, or I am going to execute your husband and your aunt right in front of you."
Ricardo pulled a stack of legal papers from his jacket and tossed them onto the coffee table. "Sign them, Valeria. Or Daniel dies."
