CHAPTER 10 — MARIBEL'S LAST CHOICE
Victor escaped before police could arrest him.
But his network began collapsing.
One council member betrayed another.
Accounts were frozen.
Hidden properties were seized.
The Rossi empire began tearing itself apart.
Then Victor made his final move.
He kidnapped Maribel.
He sent Leandro a message.
Bring me the original will—or your mother dies.
Leandro wanted to go alone.
Estelle stopped him.
"This ends tonight."
They found Victor at an abandoned church.
Maribel was chained to a chair.
Victor held a gun.
He laughed.
"You think you won?"
Estelle stepped forward.
"No."
"I think you don't understand."
She looked at Maribel.
"Your empire was never yours."
Victor raised his weapon.
Maribel suddenly threw herself against him.
The gun fired.
Maribel fell.
Leandro shot Victor in the shoulder.
Police stormed inside.
Victor was arrested.
Leandro ran to his mother.
Maribel was bleeding.
She looked at Estelle.
"I am sorry."
Estelle knelt beside her.
"I know."
"Do you hate me?"
Estelle shook her head.
"No."
Maribel smiled weakly.
"Then perhaps I wasn't too late."
She survived.
May you like
Barely.
But for the first time in twenty-three years, she had chosen Estelle over the family empire.
