For seven years, Alejandro Rivas had eaten dinner alone at a table built for sixteen people.

Two days later, the trap was set.

At Alejandro’s request, Julian Sterling was invited to the mansion for a "private celebration dinner." Alejandro had instructed Vance to let Julian know that he was finally ready to sign over the remaining voting shares of Rivas Enterprise to Julian’s investment firm.

It was the ultimate prize Julian had been hunting for seven years—total, undisputed control of a two-hundred-million-dollar empire.

At 6:30 PM, the grand dining room was prepared. The sixteen-seat mahogany table gleamed under the massive crystal chandeliers. But tonight, only three places were set: one at the head for Alejandro, one on his right for Julian, and one across from him—Renata’s chair—left entirely empty.

Hidden in the butler’s pantry adjacent to the dining room were Inspector Gabriel Torres and two plainclothes officers, listening through tiny wireless microphones installed beneath the table.

Lucía stood in the kitchen, her hands shaking as she prepared the service tray. Valentina sat on a stool nearby, quietly drawing on a pad of paper.

"Mommy," Valentina asked, looking up. "Is the dark castle going to turn bright tonight?"

Lucía kneeled down and kissed her daughter's forehead. "Yes, sweetie. Tonight, the lights are coming back on."

At 7:00 PM sharp, the heavy front doors swung open. Julian Sterling walked into the dining room, wearing a tuxedo, looking triumphant and arrogant.

"Alejandro!" Julian called out warmly, stepping over to the table. "I must say, I was surprised when Vance called me. Signing the share transfers tonight? What brought on this sudden change of heart?"

Alejandro sat at the head of the table, dressed in a dark, tailored suit. "I realized I have been clinging to the past for too long, Julian. Sitting alone at this huge table... it’s time to move on."

Julian smiled brightly, taking his seat beside Alejandro. "A wise decision, my friend. I’ll make sure the enterprise flourishes. You can spend the rest of your days resting peacefully here."

The kitchen door opened, and Lucía stepped out, carrying a silver soup tureen. She kept her eyes down, serving the cream soup into Julian’s bowl before stepping back against the wall.

Julian cast a quick, dismissive glance at her, then turned back to Alejandro. "So, where are the documents? I brought my legal team's seal."

"Before we sign," Alejandro said smoothly, taking a sip of water, "I want to ask you a question, Julian. One that has been on my mind for seven years."

Julian paused, his spoon hovering over his soup. "Of course. Anything."

Alejandro leaned forward slightly, his sightless eyes fixing directly on Julian’s face. "The day of the accident... why did you go into the main lab five minutes before the safety valve blew?"

The room went dead silent.

Julian’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he forced a soft chuckle. "Alejandro, we’ve been over this a hundred times with the investigators. I was checking the inventory logs."