Chapter 14 - The Gala Confrontation
Before we could infiltrate the Obsidian skyscraper, we needed to ensure Vargas was entirely distracted and physically away from the construction site.
The perfect opportunity presented itself that very evening. The city’s elite real estate association was hosting an incredibly lavish, black-tie charity gala at the grand municipal museum. As the CEO of Whitmore Development, my attendance was highly expected. As the CEO of Obsidian Holdings, Alejandro Vargas would also be there.
I arrived at the museum wearing a breathtaking, floor-length emerald silk gown that commanded absolute attention. David walked beside me in a perfectly tailored tuxedo, radiating an aura of lethal, refined elegance.
The grand ballroom was overflowing with corrupt politicians, oblivious celebrities, and powerful business moguls sipping expensive champagne under massive crystal chandeliers.
It didn't take long for him to find me.
Alejandro Vargas smoothly navigated through the dense crowd and approached our table. He was a strikingly handsome man in his late forties, wearing a bespoke suit that cost more than most luxury cars. He looked like a legitimate billionaire, entirely masking the ruthless cartel executioner hiding just beneath the surface.
He smiled warmly, extending a hand to David, which David entirely ignored, his posture entirely rigid and ready for violence.
Vargas casually picked up a glass of champagne and complimented my stunning dress, speaking in a smooth, charismatic tone that chilled me to the bone.
"I truly hope you are enjoying the evening, Sabrina," Vargas murmured quietly, stepping uncomfortably close. "Because the clock is ticking, and I would absolutely hate to see such a brilliant woman lose everything she has built over a simple, unpaid bill."
I did not flinch. I did not step back. I looked the dangerous cartel boss entirely in the eye and smiled a cold, aristocratic smile.
I calmly told Vargas that I was currently liquidating several offshore assets and that he would have his fifteen million dollars by tomorrow afternoon, well ahead of his deadline.
Vargas looked genuinely surprised by my absolute confidence. He studied my face closely, searching for any sign of deception, but I maintained a flawless, emotionless mask. He finally nodded, a smug, victorious grin spreading across his face, entirely believing he had successfully intimidated me into submission.
As Vargas turned his back to greet the city mayor, he had absolutely no idea that my proximity to him was entirely calculated.
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Hidden inside my expensive designer clutch was a highly advanced, short-range RFID cloning device. During our brief, tense conversation, I had successfully wirelessly cloned the encrypted digital access key card resting in Vargas's suit pocket.
I looked up at David and gave him a subtle, silent nod. We had exactly what we needed to bypass the security elevators at the Obsidian tower. The hunt was officially on, and Vargas was completely blind to the trap I was building around him.
