Chapter 3 - The Monster on Bail
Two days later, the nightmare I had predicted came true.
Despite the mountain of evidence, Santiago’s legal team—a ruthless firm funded by the remaining Rivas cartel money—found a corrupt appellate judge. Citing Santiago’s "standing in the community" and lack of prior convictions, the judge granted an exorbitant bail. Ten million dollars. Santiago paid it in cash within an hour.
I was sitting in my father’s war room, looking at the news alerts on my phone. TECH BILLIONAIRE SANTIAGO RIVAS RELEASED ON BAIL AMID SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS.
"He's out," I choked out, a cold sweat breaking over my skin. "Dad, he's out. He's going to come for Leo."
My father didn't flinch. He was standing over a massive mahogany table covered in blueprints, financial dossiers, and offshore bank routing numbers. "He cannot get within a hundred miles of this property, Valeria. But him being out on bail is exactly what we need."
I looked at him, bewildered. "Why?"
"Because behind bars, he is protected by the state," Ricardo explained, his voice devoid of emotion. "Out there, he is desperate. Desperate men make mistakes. They try to move their hidden money. They reach out to their dirty contacts. And when they do, my people will be watching."
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My father wasn't just a wealthy businessman. He was a phantom in the financial world, a man who built empires and erased them.
"We are not just going to send him to prison, Valeria," my father said, looking me dead in the eye. "If he goes to prison with his money intact, he will still have power. We are going to bankrupt him. We are going to take his company, his properties, his legacy. By the time the trial starts, he will be a beggar."
