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𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°The courthouse faded behind the cab’s mirror, its marble columns shrinking into the distance.Nevena leaned her head against the window, the glass warm beneath the early afternoon sun.Mateo’s words still echoed faintly in her head — but her hands clutched tightly around the folder, as if it alone could anchor her.She was yet to sort Antonio’s benevolence from the fog in her thoughts.The driver, a middle-aged local, fiddled with the radio dial to cut the silence, and a smooth practiced voice filled the small space between them.> “Today, a major name in Enchanted Hills’ business world will unveil his newest property. Antonio Hunt, widely known for his global hotel investments, will cut the ribbon on The Aurelio Hotel at eleven this morning. The gala is invitation-only, while the public tour is open to all. Live coverage begins shortly—more after traffic.”“Antonio Hunt.”The name closed around Nevena like a ring tightening at her throat. Mateo’s advi
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°“Objection!” Mrs. Polenta barked. “The defense is badgering the witness.”“Sustained,” the judge said, though the firmness in her tone had begun to waver.Mateo pivoted smoothly. “Then let’s call our next witness — Officer Vargo.”A Maverick uniformed security officer stepped forward, he'd caught them the night they were leaving.Under oath, he testified that the alleged ‘kidnap’ was nothing more than a misunderstanding — because Sophia, a detective, who had also been present in the hospital, had motioned for him to let Nevena and the boy go.Breanna’s head snapped around, eyes burning daggers at Sophia. But it was useless now — the damage had been done.And then, just when everyone thought Mateo was done, he raised a hand. “Your Honor, the defense calls three more witnesses.”Gasps swept through the room. He named them one by one — the driver who dropped Nevena and Junior back at the hospital, the cab driver she took to the mall, and the driver who bro
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°Mateo didn’t waste a second. He grabbed the bag, his movements calm but electric beneath the surface.“Your Honor,” he announced, voice steady over the hush of the courtroom, “new evidence — certified.” “Seriously” The judge blinked, momentarily thrown off. “At this stage?” “Indeed,” Mateo said, already spreading some of the contents of the bag. “This is proof that the prosecution’s evidence was fabricated — and that the witness testimony and evidence were tampered with.”“What?” Mrs. Polenta barked. “Your Honor, this is absurd! He’s introducing doctored evidence!”The judge ignored her. “Play the footage.” She nodded towards Mateo.A few keystrokes later, the courtroom screens flickered — grainy hospital footage rolling to life.And there she was — Nevena — a compilation of the first time she met Junior to their first parting, caring, protective, nothing like the monster the state painted her to be.Even when Junior mentioned his ‘abduction,’ the vi
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°The courtroom was a vault of tension.Nevena sat stiffly behind the defense desk, wrists still faintly marked from the cuffs. Her heart no longer raced.There was nothing left to hope for. She’d stopped following the back-and-forth since yesterday.Whatever fire had kept her alive through the cell nights… had burned out after Junior denied her.The judge adjusted her glasses, voice heavy with finality.“Counselor Mateo, given the evidence presented, the court is ready to proceed to—”“Objection, Your Honor,” Mateo’s voice cut in.The gavel froze midair. “On what grounds, counselor?”Mateo rose, straightening his tie. Everyone in the room knew this was his last attempt to buy time.“On the grounds that the prosecution has failed to establish a proper legal procedure in handling my client’s arrest and detention.”The prosecutor shot to her feet. “Your Honor—”“Sit down, Mrs. Polenta,” the judge said without looking her way. “Counselor Mateo, are you imply
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°It wasn’t until midnight that Antonio steered his Rolls-Royce Phantom onto the Hunt driveway.Exhaustion pressed heavy on his shoulders, but it was all over now. Cardoza had been taken care of.Lucas had called him to supervise as the boys loaded the order. Despite the changed route, Cardoza — Cesar Maté consigliere — had tried to hijack the shipment with a few stray pirates.Antonio let out a hard exhalation. He’d made sure the traitor knew fear before he died.“I’m all f*cked up,” he yawned, eyelids heavy as he guided the car through the final curve to the gate.Out of the blue, a small figure appeared in the beam of his headlight.He barely had strength to stop, but instincts took over— he slammed the brakes, fishtailing to a halt inches from the boy. “Junior?” he growled, checking his watch. 12:15 a.m.Unsure if it was a setup, he reached for his gun. But before he could unbuckle the taut seatbelt Junior already ran up to the driver’s side— knockin
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°° Antonio held the phone to his ear as Mateo debriefed him about the trial.“That’s quite a head start,” he growled.“Yes,” Mateo agreed, “but I doubt I’ll get anything from the boy.”“You’re right,” Antonio exhaled. “Considering he’s Breanna’s son—she must’ve brainwashed him.” A call buzzed through and Antonio briefly casted a gaze on his screen. “I’m getting another call. Handle the cross-examination. I’m counting on you.”“Yeah, sure,” Mateo replied before the line clicked dead.Antonio switched lines. “What’s the situation—any change?”“No, sir,” the caller replied. “The meal’s still untouched. Maybe she doesn’t like—”“Lowell order something else,” Antonio snapped. “Do I have to spell out every command?”“Sorry, sir. I’ll do that right away.” Lowell apologized, The line went silent. Antonio leaned back, irritation creasing his jaw. “Dumb a*s”###Meanwhile, Nevena sat curled up in her corner—silent, trapped in her own thoughts.Junior was the onl







