Episode 17

Noah

I grabbed my laptop to begin working, but a notification caught my eye. My past was no longer a secret, and obviously, it was not the real version. They'd fed this twisted narrative to a gossip blog. In their story, everything that happened to me seemed like a punishment I had sought out for myself. Worse, they claimed that any businesses involved in fraud scandals were at my specific request to the Montenegros as an act of revenge, suggesting that the current situation at Daniel's group was proof of how far I was willing to go to reach my goal.

I don't know who's behind this, and I shouldn’t care, but the site has far too many followers. For better or worse, I've drawn too much attention, and this will surely give the media and everyone else something to talk about.

One reply grabbed my attention more than the rest.

“Nobody knows what tricks he used to manipulate Daniel's CEO into acting as he wished.” Manipulate? Is there even a way to get that man to listen to anyone other than his ego? And once again, he's the victim, and I'm the villain.

I focused on work. Tomorrow I'll think about what to do about this. Shutting down such a site shouldn't be too hard, and finding out who sold them this information should be even easier.

The next day, the entrance to the company was thronged with newspapers and reporters wanting to interview me. Now that they know about Mauricio's delicate condition, they're not going to leave me alone.

Jorge helped me escape them all, and seconds later, they were unceremoniously thrown off the premises. It was Arvan’s orders, unnecessary since I was the one marked as the black sheep of the story, but I appreciated it, even if I wouldn't tell him.

Jorge: Sir, here is your request. I was going to deliver it last night, but...

"Nevermind, you got it very quickly. It will be useful."

Jorge: He’s the best at what he does, and I told him it was urgent, but look for yourself.

"Thank you. Please send me his account number so I can deposit whatever amount he asks for."

Jorge: It's not necessary, he owed me a favor, and I'm not charging you anything.

"I can't accept that. He did his job and deserves compensation."

Jorge: I'm sorry, but your thanks will have to suffice. Now, after reading these documents, I've got Mariana right where I want her.

I'm sure this publication was her and Caled’s doing. I can't prove it, but neither have I reason to doubt it. I hope this doesn’t reach my children. I plan to get even, and these documents are all I need to start.

Jorge: You seem pleased, sir, is it useful?

"More than I imagined. Elian was right when he said that if you dig deep enough into your enemies' past, you could destroy them effortlessly... Please ask Valentina to come."

Jorge: Right away He left, and minutes later, my assistant arrived.

Valentina: Do you need me, sir?

"Yes. Connect me to Detective Ortega."

Valentina: Are you filing a complaint about the scandal?

"Something like that. If he can come here today, great. If not, make room in my schedule to meet him."

Valentina: Yes, sir. Right away.

A couple of hours later, Valentina announced the detective's arrival. He was in charge of arresting corrupt businessmen, and I believe he's right for this.

Ortega: Mr. Montenegro, good afternoon.

"Good afternoon, detective. Sorry for bringing you here so abruptly. Please, have a seat."

Ortega: Don't worry, lately the Daniel's group might as well be my precinct.

"I didn’t know you've been here."

Ortega: Yes, I was called yesterday. But tell me, what do you want to discuss? I handed him the folder. After briefly scanning it, he looked up at me.

Ortega: How did you come by this information?

"I have my sources. But tell me, is it useful? Could it lead to an investigation?"

Ortega stood up, adjusted his jacket, and took the folder.

Ortega: You should watch the news, Mr. Montenegro. And thank you for this; it's very helpful. Excuse me. He left. I have to say, I don't like that man much, but at least he cares about making criminals pay. So why the rush on his part? The documents contained solid evidence of Mariana and her agency's crimes. What did he mean by watching the news?

I simply searched on my computer, and to my surprise, this morning Mariana and three others implicated in prostitution, extortion, and exploitation were arrested. She had used her agency as a front, selling the omegas working for her to wealthy alphas willing to pay. My gathered evidence paled in comparison. The only witness I had was unwilling to speak, but now many were denouncing her abuses. She likely won’t get out of this with such charges.

If I have an angel out there, even an indirect one, I’m thankful.

Back to work, I wanted to leave early to avoid any more unwelcome distractions. I ate in my office the twins get out at 3:30 and I intend to pick them up.

My peace was shattered when another Daniel barged into my office uninvited, souring my day.

Caled: It was your doing, wasn't it? What do you aim to achieve by bringing us all down? Jorge held him back before he could come any closer.

"Are you asking or accusing? Because you're not wrong, my goal is for you all to end up not even as a faint shadow behind me..." I sat back down, somewhat enjoying the unforeseen vindication.

"Or at least that was my goal, but I didn't have to do a thing. You’re so foolish that you’ve destroyed yourselves The Cossios, your father, your wife. What will you give me, Caled? Or do you think by sending me foolish gifts I'll fall for you?" I knew from office gossip he was behind the gifts, Valentina found out through his assistant. Does he think I’m still the same fool from the past?

Caled: Listen, I was wrong. I should never have listened to Mariana. In reality, I...

"If you say you love me, I'll be sick! The last thing my past with you needs to be utterly vile is for you to claim genuine feelings for me, so be quiet."

Caled: I'm telling the truth, Noah, believe me. I've asked Mariana for a divorce. I genuinely want to make amends. My uncle was the only one who truly hurt you, not I...

I slapped him, Jorge still holding him back.

"You didn't drug him? If it weren't for the need to flee from you and Mariana... (I wouldn’t have ended up in that room)" I couldn't stop my hands and body from shaking. I still can't get over that night.

"I will never forgive you, I hate you as much or more than I do your uncle, and everyone else."

Caled: Noah...

"Jorge, get him out of my office."

Jorge: Yes, sir! Alone now, but I couldn’t calm down. It's been many years, but the same memory and pain remain fresh, not scars but unhealing wounds. The most excruciating of all is on my neck a reminder that I'm still imprisoned by that dreadful past and captive to the most infamous alpha of all.

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