Chapter 26
Chapter 26: The Intersection of Past and Present
The next morning, Renata sat at her desk, watching the flight tracker on her monitor. Isabella and Leo had safely touched down in Geneva, where a specialized security team had already relocated them to a fortified chalet.
Her intercom buzzed. "Ms. Garza," her assistant said. "There is a Julian Montes here to see you. He doesn't have an appointment, but he says it is extremely urgent."
Renata smiled. She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "Send him in."
The door opened, and Julian walked in. He was still handsome, wearing an expensive Italian suit, his hair perfectly styled. But the arrogant, untouchable aura he used to carry was severely diminished. He looked around the luxurious, imposing office, clearly unsettled by the magnitude of the power Renata now commanded.
"Renata," Julian said, forcing a charming smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You look... incredible."
"Skip the pleasantries, Julian," Renata said, her voice entirely devoid of emotion. She didn't offer him a seat. "You are here because Alejandro Vargas is panicking, and you are terrified that the money laundering operation you run for him is about to be exposed."
Julian’s smile vanished. His mask slipped, revealing the cruel, manipulative man beneath. He placed his hands on her desk, leaning in.
"You think you’re untouchable now?" he sneered. "You’re still that pathetic girl crying in the guest room. If you release those files, Valeria’s family will destroy you. My network will bury you. I will make sure you never practice law in this country again."
Renata didn’t flinch. She simply reached over and tapped her phone screen. A red recording light turned off.
"Thank you, Julian," Renata said softly. "I needed a recorded confirmation of your connection to the Vargas accounts to bypass the banking privacy laws for the federal injunction. You just handed it to me."
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Julian went pale. He stepped back, staring at her as if she were a ghost.
"You were wrong," Renata added, her eyes locking onto his with absolute, glacial dominance. "The girl in the guest room is dead. You killed her. I am what grew from the ashes. Now get out of my office before I have my security throw you out."
