Chapter 1 — The Red Envelope
Chapter 1 — The Red Envelope
Renata stepped into the empty hallway outside the private dining room without looking back.
The laughter behind the door continued, but it sounded distant now.
She reached into her purse and removed her phone.
One text.
Only three words.
"It's time. Proceed."
She pressed Send.
Less than five seconds later, her phone vibrated.
Done.
Inside the restaurant, nothing had changed.
Champagne glasses clinked.
The anniversary cake waited to be cut.
Evangelina smiled proudly while Alonso entertained relatives with another joke about his "dramatic wife."
Neither of them noticed the black SUVs stopping outside the building.
Three men in dark suits walked calmly toward the restaurant entrance.
They weren't police.
They weren't reporters.
They carried leather folders stamped with the seal of Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit.
Renata quietly returned to the dining room.
Her dress was still stained.
Her cheek was still red.
But something inside her had changed.
She no longer looked defeated.
She looked patient.
Exactly sixty seconds later, the restaurant manager hurried into the private room.
His face had turned pale.
"Mr. Alonso Ibarra..."
Everyone looked up.
May you like
"There are government investigators here asking for you."
The room instantly fell silent.
