~Rival Cartel~After the funeral, Andrès returned home and he decided to rest for a while. mostly because he was still feeling sad over Elijah's death. Andrès found himself drifting back to the poolside, where the world felt a little more distant and the water glowed under the late afternoon sun. The air was filled with the scent of flowers left behind from the service, but for Andrès, there was no rest. His mind was still buzzing, replaying the sight of the strange car at the funeral, the faces of the guests, the false condolences. Everything felt like a part of some bigger scheme, and he didn't like it.He dropped down into a chair, stretching his legs out and leaning back with a sigh. He needed to think, to process everything that had happened over the past few days-the autopsy, the funeral, the mystery car. Elijah's death had left a power vacuum, and no matter how much Andrès pretended otherwise, he knew everyone was watching, waiting to see how he would handle it. But he wasn't n
~Cold Hate~Andrès paced back and forth by the pool, his mind racing with fury and the need for a swift action. He had to get to the marina and figure out what happened to his shipment. His fingers drummed against his phone as he considered who to call first. Jorge was already mobilizing a team, but Andrès needed more than muscle. He needed insight-someone who could see through the shadows of this power play and point him toward the right target.He dialed Hugo's number, waiting impatiently as the phone rang. Hugo was one of the few men Andrès truly trusted in the cartel. He had been a long-time informant, a man with ears on the ground and a nose for sniffing out trouble. If anyone could help him investigate this mess, it was Hugo.After a few rings, Hugo picked up. "Boss," he greeted, his voice calm but curious. "What's going on?""Meet me at the house in ten minutes. We're going to the marina," Andrès replied, not wasting time with pleasantries."Alright. What's happening?" Hugo ask
~Shocking News~By the time Andrès and Hugo returned home, the sun had long set, casting an eerie calm over the estate. The mansion stone walls reflecting the dim lights from the driveway. Andrès stepped out of the SUV, his mind still swirling with the events of the day-the hijacked shipment, the suspicions about David, and the tension that came with leading a cartel now that Elijah was gone. He needed control over his surroundings, over every single thing that could go wrong.Without wasting time, he called for all the household staff. The maids, the groundskeepers, the security team, everyone who worked under him. They gathered in the living room, a sea of anxious faces looking up at him as he stood before them, towering in both stature and authority.He looked at them, his eyes cold and serious. "From now on, no one-" he paused, letting his words sink in, "and I mean no one-is to leave the house with their key pass. You will leave your key pass at the gate every time you exit and
~Denial~Andrès sat frozen, the weight of the man's words crashing down on him. His father? His mind raced to catch up, but all he could do was stare at the man across the table. The noise of the restaurant faded away, leaving a strange silence between them."My father?" Andrès finally managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper, though anger and confusion evident in his eyes. His heart pounded as he glared at the man, searching his face for any sign of a lie.The man, calm as ever, reached into his jacket and pulled out a small envelope. With careful hands, he laid it on the table, opening it slowly as if he had all the time in the world. Inside were photos, old and worn from age. He slid them across the table toward Andrès.Andrès hesitated before picking them up, his fingers trembling slightly. His breath caught in his throat when he saw what was in them. There he was, a small baby wrapped in a blue blanket, smiling up at the camera. A younger version of the man sitting across
~Andrès Hugo?~Andrès stepped through the front door, his mind still buzzing with everything that had happened earlier. The weight of the day pressed down on him, and he could feel it in his bones. As soon as he walked in, Camilla, his maid, greeted him, her soft voice breaking the silence."Welcome home, señor," she said gently, noticing the frustration on his face.Andrès barely managed a nod. He felt distant, like his body was in the house, but his mind was still stuck at the restaurant, replaying every word Carlos had said. "Camilla," he muttered, his voice rough and tired. "Get the butler for me."Without a word, she hurried off, and Andrès dragged himself into the living room, loosening his tie as he walked. He sank into the large leather chair near the window, the weight of everything crashing down on him at once. He stared blankly ahead, the room around him blurring as his thoughts spun uncontrollably.Carlos' voice echoed in his head. Your real surname is Hugo. You've been li
~More Questions~By morning, Andrès woke up with a heavy head, the remnants of the previous day's turmoil still weighing on him. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind. But no matter how hard he tried, the memories of the conversation with Carlos kept creeping back in. His real name. His true identity. The lies. It felt like a bad dream that wouldn't go away.He dragged himself out of bed and got dressed, slipping into his usual crisp shirt and trousers. Every move felt heavy, as if his body was on autopilot while his mind wandered elsewhere. Once he was ready, Andrès made his way to the living room, the early morning light filtering through the large windows, casting soft shadows across the room.He sat down on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together as he stared into space. His plan for the day swirled around in his head-dealing with the shipment, finding a way to put David against his father-but before he could tak
~More Questions~By morning, Andrès woke up with a heavy head, the remnants of the previous day's turmoil still weighing on him. He lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind. But no matter how hard he tried, the memories of the conversation with Carlos kept creeping back in. His real name. His true identity. The lies. It felt like a bad dream that wouldn't go away.He dragged himself out of bed and got dressed, slipping into his usual crisp shirt and trousers. Every move felt heavy, as if his body was on autopilot while his mind wandered elsewhere. Once he was ready, Andrès made his way to the living room, the early morning light filtering through the large windows, casting soft shadows across the room.He sat down on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together as he stared into space. His plan for the day swirled around in his head-dealing with the shipment, finding a way to put David against his father-but before he could tak
~Joyce Mayers~Andrès rubbed his temples, still groggy from the events of the previous day, but he pushed himself out of bed, freshened up, and pulled on a crisp shirt. He had nearly forgotten that Valeria was supposed to bring in a lawyer this morning.He ran his fingers through his hair as he made his way down the hall, feeling a strange feeling of dread and curiosity. He wondered if Valeria had found someone competent-and more importantly, someone trustworthy."Sir, your PA is waiting for you in the office," Camilla informed him as he passed by.He gave her a quick nod, his mind already preoccupied with the possible risks. As he entered the home office, he immediately saw Valeria standing near the window, looking as poised and professional as ever. Beside her stood a woman with a confident, familiar stance-straight-backed, arms crossed loosely in front of her.Andrès froze.It was Joyce. The same lawyer who had defended him when he'd been accused of murder. A memory flashed before
~The Hit~The evening had arrived, and the air buzzed with anticipation as Andrés and Joyce prepared to head to the grand launch of the new company. The event was being held at an opulent hotel ballroom in the heart of the city, the perfect venue to mark such a significant milestone. Every detail had been meticulously planned, from the décor to the guest list, and tonight promised to be unforgettable.Joyce stood in her room, smoothing out the sleek black gown she'd chosen for the evening. Its modest yet elegant design complemented her figure, and she paired it with a simple silver necklace. She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, ensuring every strand of hair was in place. Tonight wasn't just about Andrés; she wanted to make a good impression, too.Downstairs, Andrés waited, already dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. He stood by the living room window, checking his watch. His usually composed demeanor showed a flicker of nerves as
~I'm Sorry~Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him. "You keep saying that, but you're not giving me any reason to stop worrying.""I don't owe you a reason," he said, though his words lacked the bite they might have carried in other circumstances. "You're my employee, Joyce, not my keeper."The words stung, and he seemed to notice because he sighed and added, "Look, I'll be fine. Go to bed. You've had a long day."She hesitated, her mind racing with questions she knew he wouldn't answer. Finally, she took a step back, her expression guarded."Fine," she said quietly. "But if you're in some kind of trouble-""I'm not," he interrupted. "Now, goodnight."He turned and walked toward the staircase, leaving her standing in the living room.Joyce watched him go, her eyes drifting back to the faint stain on his collar. Something wasn't right. She could feel it. But as much as she wanted to press further, she knew he wouldn't budge.She sank back onto the couch, her mind swirling with poss
~In Cold Blood~Finally, the man behind the hit and Run of Joyce was caught. He was strapped to a chair in a hidden location. The warehouse was dimly lit, with a single bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting shadows on the walls. The air was thick with tension as Mateo, Andrés's most trusted bodyguard, stood near a restrained man tied to a metal chair. The man's face was bruised, his clothes disheveled from a scuffle during his capture.The sound of Andrés's car screeching to a halt outside echoed through the building. Moments later, the heavy door swung open, and Andrés strode in, his expression cold and calculating."Is this him?" Andrés asked, his voice low and sharp."Yes, boss," Mateo replied, stepping aside to reveal the man.Andrés studied the man in silence for a moment, his hands in his pockets. The man avoided his gaze, his head hanging low."What's your name?" Andrés asked, his tone eerily calm.The man didn't respond."I asked you a question," Andrés said, stepping closer.
~Sensational~Andrés drove through the quiet streets leading to his estate, the day's events playing on a loop in his mind. The long driveway, lined with trimmed hedges and bright garden lights, came into view. His estate was massive, with tall iron gates that opened smoothly as his car approached. It was the kind of place that screamed wealth and power, but to Andrés, it was just home.Pulling up to the front steps, he sat in the car for a moment, staring at the grand double doors. He usually felt relief when he got home, but tonight, a strange unease crept over him. Shaking it off, he stepped out, his shoes clicking softly against the stone driveway.The staff were already waiting. The butler opened the door for him, giving a polite nod. "Good evening, sir. Would you like dinner served now?""Not yet, Marcel. I need a moment," Andrés said, walking past him into the house. The place was spotless as always, every piece of furniture perfectly in place. The silence inside was heavy, bro
~Another Day~Andrès stepped out of the front door of his estate, the morning sun casting long shadows across the driveway. His sleek black car idled nearby, the driver already holding the door open. He adjusted the cuff of his shirt and slid into the backseat, nodding to the driver."Hospital," he said simply, pulling his phone from his pocket.The ride was quiet, the hum of the engine and the blaring of impatient drivers the only sound as they wove through the city streets. Andrès tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, though his mind was elsewhere. When they pulled into the hospital parking lot, he stepped out before the driver could circle around to open the door for him.Inside, the sterile scent of disinfectant hit him immediately, sharp and familiar. He approached the reception desk, his polished shoes clicking against the tiled floor."Joyce Mayers," he said to the receptionist, his voice low but firm.The woman looked up, clearly rec
~Stay With Me~The next morning, Andrès walked briskly down the sterile white halls of the hospital, his shoes echoing against the polished floor. He was anxious to see Joyce-hoping she was doing better already and eager to speak with her face-to-face.When he reached her room, he knocked softly and then entered, finding her sitting up in bed, looking much more alert than the day before. She glanced up at him with a faint smile."You look better," he said with a hint of relief, moving closer to her bed. "How are you feeling?""Like I've been hit by a truck," Joyce replied, managing a chuckle. "But honestly, a lot better than yesterday. They've been giving me enough medication to make sure I'm not in too much pain."He nodded, pleased to hear it. "Good. I didn't sleep much last night, worrying about you."Joyce raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise passing across her face. "I didn't realize I was that important."Andrès hesitated, then cleared his throat. "Joyce, someone clearly tar
~Cryptic Message~As Andrès drove home, trying to focus on the road while his mind raced with plans for revenge, his phone buzzed. Glancing down, he saw an anonymous text message lighting up the screen. The words made his blood run cold:"I hope you listen now."He gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling a surge of anger and indignation. This message was no coincidence; it was a direct taunt from whoever had orchestrated the hit-and-run that put Joyce in the hospital. They wanted him to know they weren't afraid, that they were willing to cross lines to get what they wanted-and they expected him to bend under the pressure.But they had made a grave error.Andrès pulled over to the side of the road, his mind racing. He quickly scanned the message, analyzing each word, trying to find any hidden clues. "Listen now." What was it they wanted him to understand, or submit to? The message was cryptic, but one thing was clear-they were sending him a warning. And by involving Joyce, they'd c
~Hit and Run~Less than an hour after Joyce left his office, Andrès's phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he saw an unknown number, but something in his gut told him to pick up. The voice on the other end-a calm yet urgent tone-introduced themselves as a nurse at the nearby hospital, informing him that Joyce had been involved in a hit-and-run and was listed as critical. They'd called him as her emergency contact.For a moment, he froze, processing the words. Hit-and-run. Critical condition. The meaning of those words were scary, and then suddenly, he was moving-grabbing his keys and rushing out the door, not bothering to tell his guards or even lock up behind him. He didn't think twice. In that moment, nothing mattered except getting to her.The drive to the hospital was a blur, each red light and obstacle on the road adding to his growing frustration. His mind raced with questions. Who would do this? Why now? And most importantly-was she going to be okay?After what felt like an eter
~Nothing to Find~Andrès hung up the phone, the call with Carlos still lingering in his mind, leaving him slightly annoyed. But rather than letting it occupy his thoughts, he decided to set it aside. Carlos could say what he wanted, but Andrès had his own path to carve out, and he wasn't about to let anyone-family or otherwise-dictate his way of running things.With a quick shake of his head, he refocused and picked up his phone, calling his Pa to track down Joyce. After a few moments, Pa confirmed she was on her way. Andrès leaned back in his chair, letting his mind wander briefly as he waited. He'd asked Joyce to dig into Carlos's background, and he was eager to hear what she'd uncovered. Carlos seemed to pop into his life out of nowhere, and while he was supposedly family, Andrès knew better than to accept anyone's word without proof.A light knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and Joyce stepped in. Joyce had a way of handling things that put him at ease, but she also had a