Diego stood at the threshold of the Vega estate, his feet refusing to carry him away despite every instinct screaming at him to leave these ungrateful fools to their fate. His left hand throbbed beneath the glove, the Devil's Hand responding to his frustration and anger with eager pulses of dark energy. But he forced himself to stay rooted, to try one more time.Because Esperanza had already lost her father. And despite Santiago being an absolute dickhead who'd betrayed his own sister for gambling debts and cheap manipulation, he was still Esperanza's brother. Still family. And Diego couldn't walk away knowing Santiago was in mortal danger, even if the idiot was too proud and stupid to listen."Santiago," Diego tried again, his voice carefully controlled despite the rage simmering beneath the surface. "I understand you're angry. I understand you think I'm here to undermine you or support Esperanza's position. But this isn't about business politics or family drama. This is about keepin

Diego's mind was still reeling from the revelation that Esperanza had an uncle she'd never mentioned when Williams Vega dropped his bombshell. The casual confidence with which the man had declared his intention to claim the Vega Empire suggested this wasn't an impulsive decision made in the heat of grief—this was calculated, planned, a strategy executed with precision timing."The Vega Empire is rightfully mine," Williams said again, his voice carrying the weight of absolute conviction. "My late brother Ricardo and I built this company together from nothing. We were partners, equals in every sense. We poured our blood, sweat, and tears into making Vega Entertainment what it is today. And now that Ricardo is gone, it falls to me—the surviving founder—to continue what we started."The words hit like artillery shells, each one precisely aimed to cause maximum impact.Isabella's face had gone pale beneath her makeup, her carefully constructed composure cracking as the implications crashed

The conference room felt suffocating despite its spacious design. The forged document sat on the table like a coiled snake, its presence poisoning the atmosphere with implications that sent each person's mind spiraling in different directions.Diego stared at the yellowed paper, his thoughts racing. Why was Williams using a forgery? If he had legitimate claim to the Vega Empire, why resort to fabricated documents? The quality of the fake was exceptional—clearly expensive, professionally done. Someone with serious resources had created this lie. But why? What was Williams's real goal? And more importantly, who was helping him?Santiago sat frozen in his chair, a bitter laugh building in his chest. Of course. Of course his father would have one final fuck-you waiting from beyond the grave. Even in death, Ricardo Vega had found a way to make Santiago's life more complicated, to prove once again that his son wasn't worthy of the empire. A secret partnership? A hidden brother who'd been er

Isabella paced the length of her luxury apartment, her heels clicking against the marble floor in an anxious rhythm that matched her racing heartbeat. Despite all the bravado she and Santiago had mustered during the meeting—the sharp arguments, the legal challenges, the confident dismissals—Williams Vega hadn't budged an inch.He'd sat there with that infuriating calm, that aristocratic certainty, and simply insisted on his rights. He'd been almost magnanimous about it, offering to "share some of it" with his niece and nephew like he was doing them a favor. But there would be no argument, he'd made crystal clear, about who would actually be in charge.And Isabella could see it in his eyes—he meant every word.Her carefully constructed empire, the CEO position she'd seduced and manipulated Santiago into giving her, all of it was crumbling before she'd even had a chance to properly enjoy it. If Williams took control, she'd be out. Fired. Back to her roach-infested apartment and voice-ov

Chapter 152Diego's announcement came during breakfast the next morning, delivered with such casual warmth that everyone at the table froze mid-bite."Williams, I've been thinking," Diego said, setting down his coffee cup. "It doesn't sit right with me—you staying in some impersonal hotel when family should be together. Especially during such difficult times. We have plenty of space here. Why don't you stay with us?"Esperanza's fork clattered against her plate. She stared at her husband like he'd just suggested inviting a cobra into their bed. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again without producing sound."That's... very generous," Williams said carefully, clearly as surprised as everyone else. "But I wouldn't want to impose—""It's no imposition at all," Diego insisted, his smile genuine and welcoming. "You're Esperanza's uncle. My uncle by marriage. Family doesn't impose—family stays together. Besides, it'll give us more opportunities to get to know each other, to discuss the