Chapter Thirty-Six: The Hunter and the Prey

The escape from the Del Monte Hotel had left Sanchez and Susan shaken but determined. Pierre's chilling words echoed in Sanchez's mind: "This is just the beginning." It wasn't a threat—it was a promise.

Back at the Cruz mansion, Sanchez gathered his team in the study. Hedro placed the recording they'd captured on the table.

"This is the evidence we need," Hedro said. "Pierre openly admitted his plans to dismantle Cruz Oil. We can take this to the board and the authorities."

Sanchez nodded but remained cautious. "Pierre won't go down without a fight. He'll know we were there, and he'll retaliate. We need to be ready."

Susan, standing by the window, chimed in. "If he's as dangerous as we know, this isn't just about the company anymore. He'll come for us personally."

The room fell silent as her words settled over them.

---

The next day, Sanchez called an emergency board meeting. The senior members of Cruz Oil were visibly tense, aware that the company was under attack but unsure of the details. Sanchez played the recording, allowing Pierre's venomous plans to fill the room.

"This is the man behind the recent financial sabotage," Sanchez said, his voice firm. "He's been using shell companies to buy shares in an attempt to take over Cruz Oil. We need to act swiftly to neutralize his influence."

One of the board members, an elderly man named Mr. Green, leaned forward. "And what do you propose, Mr. Twist?"

"First, we freeze all suspicious accounts connected to these shell companies. Second, we strengthen our internal protocols to prevent further infiltration. Finally, I'll personally oversee the legal action against Pierre and his associates."

The board murmured in agreement, their confidence in Sanchez's leadership bolstered by his decisive plan.

---

Meanwhile, Pierre was already working on his counterattack. In a dimly lit office, he met with Loiz, who was visibly nervous.

"You let them escape," Pierre said, his tone icy.

"I couldn't stop them," Loiz replied, her voice trembling. "They were too prepared."

Pierre's eyes narrowed. "You're slipping, Loiz. If Sanchez has that recording, he has leverage. We need to change the game."

"What's the plan?" Loiz asked cautiously.

Pierre leaned back in his chair, a sinister smile forming. "We hit them where it hurts the most. His family."

---

At the Cruz mansion, security was tightened further. Guards patrolled the grounds, and every entrance was monitored. Despite these precautions, Susan couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

That evening, as she tucked the twins into bed, a shadow crossed the window. Susan froze, her heart pounding. She quickly drew the curtains and called Sanchez.

"Sanchez," she whispered when he answered. "I think someone's outside."

"Stay where you are," he said urgently. "I'm on my way."

Sanchez arrived moments later with two guards in tow. They searched the grounds thoroughly but found no trace of an intruder.

"It could've been nothing," one guard suggested.

"Or it could've been Pierre testing our defenses," Sanchez replied. He turned to Susan, his expression grim. "We can't take any chances. From now on, you and the kids stay inside unless I'm with you."

Susan nodded, though she hated the idea of living in fear. "We'll get through this, Sanchez. Pierre can't win."

---

Later that night, Sanchez sat in his study, going over the day's events. His mind raced with strategies and countermeasures, but one thought kept intruding: Pierre's next move.

As he stared out the window into the darkened garden, a single thought crystallized in his mind: I need to end this before he does.

Sanchez picked up his phone and called Hedro. "We need to take the fight to him," he said. "I want everything we have on Pierre—his associates, his operations, his weaknesses. If he wants a war, we'll give him one."

---

At that same moment, Pierre was making his own plans. He stood in a luxurious penthouse, gazing out over the city. Beside him, one of his most loyal associates handed him a file.

"Everything is in place," the man said. "It's time to strike."

Pierre's lips curved into a cruel smile. "Sanchez thinks he's untouchable. But everyone has a breaking point. And I'm going to find his."

The battle lines were drawn, and both sides prepared for the inevitable clash. Neither would rest until the other was destroyed.