Chapter 8
Chapter 8: The Viper’s Return
The corporate gala was meant to rebrand Mendoza Global as a beacon of modern philanthropy, a clean break from the corruption of the past. The press was lined up outside the grand ballroom, cameras flashing, as Daniel walked down the red carpet. But he wasn't there to celebrate. He was there to draw out the shadow.
As he stepped into the private VIP lounge upstairs, away from the noise, a figure stepped out from behind the velvet curtains.
It was Mariela Mendoza. Despite her social ruin and pending trials, she wore a pristine diamond necklace and a sharp, calculating smile. She didn't look like a woman facing prison; she looked like a queen back on her throne.
"You look tense, darling," Mariela said, sipping her champagne.
"You violate your bail conditions just to see me, Mother? The police are downstairs," Daniel said, his hand slowly moving toward the inside of his jacket.
"The police work for whoever signs their paychecks, Daniel. Don't be tedious," she said, leaning in, her breath smelling of expensive gin. "I’m here to offer you a life raft. You think you're the hero of this story. But you're just an idiot who fell in love with a lab rat. Clara’s mother didn't have cancer. That was a lie to get her into the program. Clara is the product of a multi-generational genetic selection project funded by Aethelgard. She is the key to a multi-billion dollar sovereign fund."
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Daniel’s heart stopped. "You're insane."
Mariela's smile faded, replaced by an icy, hollow stare that made her look like a corpse. "We didn't try to steal your baby out of simple greed, Daniel. We tried to hide him. We tried to forge the papers so Aethelgard couldn't track his lineage. They are coming to collect their biological investment, son. And they don't care about corporate law or your little feelings."
