Chapter 14 - THE ENGAGEMENT THAT BECAME A TRAP|
Isabel announced the engagement party three days earlier than planned.
The invitation described it as a private celebration at the Carrera family’s lakefront estate. In reality, it was a carefully staged display of power. Business executives would attend beside political donors, old family allies, and men whose names rarely appeared in public records.
Marcos received his invitation with a handwritten note.
Come alone. We need to decide what kind of future we want.
He showed it to Nadia.
“She wants to negotiate,” he said.
“She wants to control the room.”
“Same thing, sometimes.”
“You’re not going.”
“I have to.”
Nadia shook her head.
“Then you’re going with us.”
Marcos studied her.
“You’re still injured.”
“And you’re still stubborn.”
He almost smiled.
The plan was simple. Marcos would attend the party and pretend he had accepted Isabel’s explanation about the altered documents. Evelyn would coordinate with a trusted attorney outside the estate. Nadia would enter as a member of the catering staff, carrying a small recorder and a copy of the transaction index.
If Isabel or Rafael discussed the operation, they would capture it.
If nothing happened, they would leave.
Simple plans rarely survived contact with people who had money.
At the estate, Isabel greeted Marcos beneath a chandelier.
“You came.”
“You asked.”
She touched his arm.
“I knew you would.”
Her gaze moved to Nadia, who stood behind a tray of glasses in a black uniform.
For a moment, Isabel did not recognize her.
Then her smile tightened.
“You.”
Nadia lowered her head.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
Isabel leaned closer.
“You have no idea what you’ve started.”
“I’m beginning to.”
“Do you think Marcos will protect you when he learns what your brother did?”
Nadia kept her expression blank.
“My brother did his job.”
“Your brother made a deal he couldn’t keep.”
The words landed like a slap.
Nadia’s fingers tightened around the tray.
Across the room, Marcos saw the movement. He began walking toward them.
Isabel noticed.
She immediately changed her expression and laughed.
“Your waitress is nervous,” she said brightly. “Perhaps someone should teach her how to carry a tray.”
Marcos stopped beside Nadia.
“She’s doing fine.”
“Marcos, darling, this is a family event.”
“Then perhaps you should treat people like family.”
A few nearby guests turned.
Isabel’s cheeks flushed.
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“No,” Marcos said quietly. “I’m asking you to stop embarrassing yourself.”
He took the tray from Nadia and handed it to another server.
“Come with me.”
They crossed the room together, drawing more attention than either intended.
Behind them, Isabel’s composure began to fracture.
She turned to Rafael, who stood near the fireplace.
“Do something,” she hissed.
Rafael watched Marcos and Nadia disappear through a side door.
“I have been doing something,” he replied. “For years.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means you should have finished this when you had the chance.”
He took a phone from his pocket and sent a short message.
Begin the second plan.
Across the estate, a security guard locked the main entrance.
May you like
Another switched off the cameras.
And in the room where Marcos’s father’s old papers were being displayed, someone began a fire.
