Chapter 17: The Man Who Owned the Shadows
Chapter 17: The Man Who Owned the Shadows
The name echoed through the room.
Richard Valmont.
The man everyone believed had disappeared fifteen years ago.
Victor's older brother.
The original heir.
The person who was supposed to lead the Valmont empire.
Until Victor took control.
Adrian stared at the screen.
"You're alive."
Richard smiled.
"Unlike your father, I learned how to survive."
Mariana stepped closer.
"You were behind everything."
Richard laughed.
"Behind?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"I created everything."
The words were terrifying.
Richard continued.
"Victor was always loved more than me."
His expression darkened.
"He had the respect. The company. The family."
Adrian looked disgusted.
"So you destroyed him because you were jealous?"
Richard smiled.
"Jealousy is an emotional word."
A pause.
"I prefer ambition."
Mariana looked at Eleanor.
"You knew."
Eleanor nodded.
"I suspected."
"Then why didn't you stop him?"
"Because Richard controlled everything."
Richard laughed.
"She tried."
He looked at Eleanor.
"That's why she lost everything."
Mariana's eyes narrowed.
"What does that mean?"
Richard smiled.
"Ask her."
Everyone turned.
Eleanor looked down.
"Richard destroyed my family."
Silence.
"Thirty years ago, I discovered what he was doing."
Her voice trembled.
"I tried to expose him."
Adrian listened carefully.
"But he threatened my children."
Mariana's expression softened.
"So you stayed silent."
Eleanor nodded.
"To keep them alive."
Richard continued.
"Victor was weak."
Mariana looked at the screen.
"No."
Her voice was calm.
"He was human."
Richard laughed.
"And that's why he lost."
Mariana stepped closer.
"You made one mistake."
Richard raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You thought power comes from fear."
A pause.
"But people follow those they trust."
Richard smiled.
"Is that what you believe?"
"Yes."
"Then let's test it."
The screen changed.
A document appeared.
A legal transfer.
Richard smiled.
"The Valmont board has approved my return."
Adrian looked shocked.
"Impossible."
Richard leaned closer.
"Not impossible."
He looked at Mariana.
"Because half of your board members work for me."
Mariana's expression remained calm.
But inside, she understood.
This was bigger than she expected.
Richard wasn't trying to destroy the Valmont family.
He was trying to own it.
That night, Mariana gathered her team.
Lucas looked worried.
"He has influence everywhere."
Adrian entered.
"I can help."
Everyone looked at him.
Mariana remained silent.
After everything...
after all the betrayal...
could she trust him?
Adrian looked at her.
"I know I don't deserve it."
A pause.
"But I want to fix what I broke."
Mariana studied him.
Then she handed him a folder.
"Then prove it."
Adrian opened it.
Inside were financial records.
A list of Richard's hidden operations.
Mariana looked at him.
"Help me destroy him."
For the first time...
May you like
they were no longer enemies.
They were partners.
