Rafael stood with his team, eyes fixed on Francisco through the one-way mirror. The once-powerful tycoon sat alone in the interrogation chamber.
The chamber's large sealed mirror hid the watching eyes. Francisco sat straight in his solitary chair, fully aware of the invisible audience studying him.
Rafael's jaw tightened.
"I am going to talk to him."
As he moved toward the door, Peter blocked his path.
"Rafael, I think Hazel should go."
Rafael's eyes flashed.
"Hazel!" The word burst from his lips, rejection clear in his tone.
The thought of Hazel facing the man who hurt her made Rafael's fists clench.
"No, I won't let her go there," he said firmly, jaw tight.
Ken placed a calming hand on Rafael's shoulder.
"It's our work, Rafael. Don't take it personally."
Rafael shrugged him off.
"I said no. I want to show his limit." He pushed past them both.
Peter and Ken watched from behind the glass, both sighing, knowing there was no stopping him now.
Inside, Francisco looked up, calm and unshaken, as Rafael walked in.
"I told you I would finish everything of yours," Rafael said, voice cutting through the silence as he took his seat.
Francisco placed his cuffed hands on the table.
He leaned forward just slightly, eyes glinting... not with fear, but with something unreadable.
"Really?" Francisco held Rafael's gaze, unflinching.
Rafael leaned forward, a cold smirk spreading across his face. "Yes, your man, Liam. He is under arrest but in critical condition."
"Oh!"
Francisco's reaction was unexpected. Instead of showing concern, he gave a faint smile.
Calm.
Dismissive.
"So, what now? You are finished, Francisco," Rafael said, crossing his legs, watching him closely.
Francisco sighed and lifted his gaze to meet Rafael's. Their eyes locked in a tense silence before he finally replied.
"No... not really."
Then, with a twisted smile, he added, "You can't finish me before I take over Hazel."
That name... Hazel... hit Rafael like a spark to dry timber.
Fury flashed in his eyes. Without thinking, he lunged forward and drove his fist into Francisco's face.
The impact echoed through the room. Francisco's head snapped back, blood trickling from his nose.
"Bro, what is he doing?" Robert shouted, jumping up from his chair, stunned by the sudden outburst.
Ken leaned forward, alarmed. "
We have to stop him. Whatever's going on, we can't lay a hand on Francisco. He's a powerful man. We'll be in trouble."
He glanced toward the hallway.
"Inside and outside... it's already getting crowded. Word's leaking out."
Robert grabbed his phone.
"Let me call Hazel." He quickly typed a message and hit send.
Back inside the interrogation room, the tension thickened. Phones started ringing nonstop in the sheriff's chamber... calls from the media, lawyers, and higher-ups. The pressure was mounting fast.
Alex, already overwhelmed as another call came through... this time, a demand from higher authorities to release Francisco. The arrest had gone public, and now the consequences were rolling in.
In the interrogation room, Ken burst in, his voice sharp with urgency. "What are you doing, man?!"
Francisco, now with blood running down from his nose, leaned back with a sardonic grin. He didn't flinch.
In fact, he seemed to enjoy the unraveling chaos.
Ken tried to hold Rafael back. "Rafael, stop it!"
But Rafael was past reason. Fueled by rage, he grabbed Francisco by the hair and slammed his head against the table.
Blood smeared the surface.
Yet Francisco didn't cry out... he laughed.
A wild, twisted sound that filled the room like a taunt.
Hazel burst in, as she got Robert's message.
Her breath caught as she took in the sight... Francisco bloodied, Rafael barely in control.
She rushed forward and grabbed Rafael from behind, trying to pull him back. "What are you doing, Rafael?"
"Please calm down," Ken echoed, stepping in again.
"Bastard! I want to kill this criminal!" Rafael shouted.
"Please!" Hazel pleaded, holding onto him tighter, trying to anchor him.
Rafael stood there, chest heaving. Across from him, Francisco slowly raised his bloodied face, a wicked smile curling on his lips.
"Your boyfriend is really jealous of me, Hazel," he said, chuckling darkly.
Hazel's eyes narrowed, her jaw tight. She stepped between them.
Rafael's fists clenched again, ready to swing, but Hazel pressed her hands to his chest, holding him back.
"Why don't you understand, Rafael? He's trying to provoke you," she said firmly, eyes locked on his.
Ken grabbed Rafael's arm to steady him. "Don't you know how important he is? We're already under pressure."
Francisco leaned back in his chair.
"Hazel, you're far smarter than this idiot."
"Mr. Francisco, can you please stop provoking my colleague?" Hazel snapped, her voice cold and controlled.
Francisco tilted his head, eyes gleaming. "If word leaks that your colleague harassed and tortured me… do you really think you can save his job?"
"Bastard!"
Rafael erupted in anger.
He lunged again, but Ken held him back, tightening his grip with both arms, anchoring him in place.
Hazel's gaze snapped to Francisco.
Her eyes narrowed.
She saw it... the manipulation in his words, the calculated way he twisted the moment. He was setting a trap, and Rafael was inches from falling into it.
If Rafael hit him again, and word got out, it wouldn't matter that Francisco was a criminal. Rafael could lose everything. And Francisco knew it.
Hazel clenched her jaw, weighing her next move. She had to think fast.
If anyone finds out Rafael hurt Francisco… it's over.
She stepped forward, voice low and controlled. "I am apologizing..."
Francisco cut her off with a smug smile. "Sorry won't work for me, Hazel. In fact, do something for me."
Hazel raised her brows, suspicion flashing in her eyes. "What?" she asked, voice calm but guarded.
"Don't be afraid," Francisco said smoothly. "I'm not asking you to free me. Just stay here alone with me… and treat my wounds that your colleague gave me."
Blood ran from his nose, but the smirk on his lips remained.