Chapter 4 - The Raid on the Cottage
Before Victoria could answer, Javier’s phone rang again. It was the same private number that had called him in the elevator minutes prior.
Javier answered, pressing the phone to his ear and setting it on speaker.
"Javier..." a weak, raspy voice came through the speaker. It was filled with deep exhaustion, but the tone was undeniably familiar—soft, gentle, and melodic.
It was Sofia.
"Sofia!" Javier gasped, his heart leaping into his throat. "Where are you? I have Lucía with me! She's safe!"
"Javier... thank God..." Sofia sobbed quietly through the phone. "Listen to me... you have to take Lucía and run. They... they came to our house..."
"Who came to your house, Sofia?!" Javier shouted into the phone.
Sound echoed through the line—the distinct, terrifying sound of splintering wood, breaking glass, and heavy boot heels pounding against floorboards.
"They're taking my blueprints... the original drive from eight years ago..." Sofia gasped out, her voice growing fainter. "I kept it... I kept the digital audit trail that proves Victoria forged my signature... but two men just broke down the front door—"
A harsh, muffled masculine voice cut in over the line: "Find the flash drive! Check the floorboards under the bed!"
"Sofia!" Javier screamed into the receiver.
"Javier... I'm so sorry I never told you about Lucía..." Sofia wept, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I was trying to protect you both... I love you..."
The line went dead with a harsh, static buzz.
Javier snapped his head up. His eyes burned with an unforgiving rage as he glared at Victoria.
Victoria was already backing toward the elevator, signaling her personal guards. "This is nonsense! She's setting a trap! Security, clear this floor—"
"Nobody moves!" Arthur bellowed, his voice echoing through the entire penthouse wing like thunder. He pulled his personal security keycard from his coat pocket and tapped the master override on the wall panel, instantly locking all elevators and exit doors on floor forty.
"Arthur!" Victoria shrieked, her composed demeanor breaking into sheer panic. "Are you insane?! You're believing the word of a disgraced maid over your wife?!"
"You lied to me for eight years," Arthur said, his voice cold, steady, and terrifyingly calm. He looked at Javier. "Take my private car in the underground garage. Take two of my personal bodyguards. Go get her."
Javier didn't hesitate for a second. He scooped Lucía up into his left arm, holding her tight against his chest, and grabbed the blue resume folder with his right hand.
May you like
"Mr. Javier!" Lucía cried out, wrapping her small arms around his neck. "Are we going to save my mom?"
"Yes, Lucía," Javier said, his eyes blazing with absolute determination as he sprinted toward the private emergency stairs. "We're bringing your mother home."
