Chapter 17: A Glimmer of Hope

The smell of blood filled the air, as Lorenzo and Pablo moved with practiced efficiency, disposing of the body while Esteban and a few of his subordinates cleaned the crimson stains from the opulent office floor. As they finished, Tiago tapped his fingers, a predatory glint in his eyes. "The other guy" he began, his voice cold and calculating, "he'll know something's wrong. The fear will gnaw at him, and he’ll confess to save his life. That’s how you do it." A cruel smile played on his lips. "And as for the other, they'll scramble, desperate for answers, wondering how I survived this. But make no mistake," he continued, his voice hardening, "those answers will lead them straight to their demise." A sudden clatter shattered the tense silence. The remaining captive, a wiry man with wild eyes, had somehow managed to wriggle free from his restraints. In a flash, he lunged for a gun lying discarded on a nearby table. Tiago's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react, a sh