Isabella De La Cruz did not wait for permission.
The moment Diego disappeared down the dim alley, something cold and sharp twisted in her chest.
She knew her father.
Mateo De La Cruz did not forgive insults.
He did not release witnesses.
And he certainly did not let a man walk away after calling him a coward in front of his men.
Which meant only one thing.
He had already corrected his "mistake."
Isabella turned sharply on her heel and walked toward her black car parked beside the SUVs. Her heels struck the pavement faster now, the sound echoing like gunshots in the quiet alley.
Behind her, the guards exchanged nervous glances.
Mateo watched her go without speaking.
He already knew.
She had figured it out.
Inside the car, Isabella slammed the door and started the engine. The vehicle roared to life, headlights slicing through the darkness.
Diego had left only two minutes earlier.
Two minutes was more than enough time for a trained killer.
She accelerated out of the alley and onto the narrow street, her eyes scanning the sidewalks ahead.
There, a block away.
Diego was walking quickly with his head lowered, hands stuffed into his pockets, trying to disappear into the night.
And behind him—
A man stepped out from between two parked cars.
One of Mateo's men.
He lifted a pistol fitted with a suppressor.
Isabella's blood went cold.
"Idiota…"
She slammed the brakes and threw open the door before the car had even fully stopped.
"STOP."
The shout cut through the night like thunder.
The gun man froze.
Diego turned at the same time, confusion flashing across his face.
The man recovered first.
He raised the gun again.
Isabella moved faster.
She sprinted forward and slammed into the man before he could pull the trigger.
The gun fired once into the pavement as they crashed against the hood of a car.
The suppressed shot sounded like a cough.
The man staggered back.
"Señorita—"
Her fist smashed into his jaw, it was hard and painful.
The man collapsed against the wall, stunned.
"You were ordered to follow him," Isabella said coldly.
He wiped blood from his mouth.
"Your father—"
Another punch cut him off.
This one split his lip.
"You do not finish that sentence," she said quietly.
He stared at her, in shock.
Isabella leaned down and grabbed the front of his shirt, dragging him upright like he weighed nothing.
"Did my father order you to kill him before he reached home?"
The man hesitated.
That was answer enough.
Isabella's eyes darkened with fury.
She slammed him against the wall so hard the bricks rattled.
"You disobeyed me."
"You told them to release him," he protested weakly. "Not us."
Her voice dropped into something dangerous.
"I told them to release him."
Her knee drove into his stomach.
He gasped, collapsing to the ground.
Isabella stepped back, breathing slowly as she adjusted the sleeve of her coat.
"Leave."
He looked stunned.
"Señorita—"
Her eyes flashed.
"Before I decide to bury you in the same alley we left."
The threat was calm.
And completely real.
He scrambled to his feet and disappeared down the street without another word.
Silence covered the street.
Isabella turned slowly.
Diego stood ten meters away.
Frozen.
He had seen everything.
The attempted execution and how Isabella fought to save him.
The ease with which she had dismantled a trained killer.
Fear flickered across his face.
But something else lived beneath it. He developed more respect for her but he also got scared to be involved in their lives now.
Their eyes met.
"You should go home," Isabella said calmly.
Diego swallowed.
"You… you saved my life."
Her expression remained unreadable.
"For the second time tonight."
His heart pounded violently.
Why?
Why would the daughter of the most feared man in Mexico care whether he lived or died?
"I—" Diego struggled for words.
"Thank you."
For a moment something softened in Isabella's gaze.
Then it vanished.
"Go," she repeated quietly. Diego didn't argue. He turned and walked quickly down the street.
But this time…
He felt her presence behind him long after she had left.
That night, Diego did not sleep.
Every creak in his small apartment sounded like a gun being cocked.
Every car outside made his heart slam against his ribs.
He checked the lock on his door four, five, and ten times
At 3:12 a.m., he sat on the edge of his bed staring at the wall.
Mateo's voice echoed in his head.
If you run, I will find you and kill every member of your family.
He thought of his mother Lucia, who is fighting cancer at the hospital, if she is harmed he will be hurt.
Diego buried his face in his hands.
What had he done?
He had insulted the most powerful cartel leader in Mexico.
And somehow survived.
Thanks to a woman he barely knew.
The name repeated in his thoughts like a whisper he couldn't escape, Isabella.
Why had she helped him?
What did she want?
The questions kept him awake until sunrise.
Morning came too quickly.
Diego forced himself out of bed and went to the hospital before work.
Lucia was awake, weak but smiling when she saw him.
"Diego."
He forced a smile.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Better," she said softly.
He sat beside her bed, trying to ignore the knot of fear still tightening his chest.
A nurse entered the room holding a clipboard.
She glanced at Diego.
"Oh good, you're here." Diego stood nervously.
"Yes?"
"Your mother's payment has been processed."
He blinked.
"Processed?"
"Yes. The balance has been cleared."
For a moment Diego thought he had misheard.
"Cleared?"
The nurse nodded.
"All of it."
The room tilted slightly.
"How?" he asked.
She shrugged.
"Anonymous payment."
Diego's mind immediately jumped to one person.
Isabella. "So they already know my mom and that she is in this hospital, what the fuck! What do I do now?"
In his mind he had a million questions that needed answers.
But why?
Why would she do something like that for him?
The nurse left, unaware that she had just shattered the fragile balance of Diego's world.
He sat slowly.
His mother smiled.
"You see? Things will get better."
Diego forced a nod.
But his heart was racing.
Because if Isabella De La Cruz had paid his mother's hospital bills…
Then he owed her more than his life.
He owed her everything.
The following days became a blur of anxiety.
Diego worked constantly, at the restaurant, at the hotel and supermarket hoping to be able to pay back the person who settled his mother's bill and also meet up with other expenses.
But everywhere he went, the same feeling followed him. There were eyes watching his every move.
Every time he turned his head, someone seemed to be standing just a little too long.
A car parked too close.
A stranger looking twice.
Mateo's warning had turned Diego into a man constantly looking over his shoulder.
And somewhere across the city—
Mateo watched everything.
Inside his office, he stood beside a wide window overlooking Mexico City.
A report rested in his hand.
"Your daughter has been busy," Ricardo said.
Mateo's lips curved slightly.
"Tell me."
"She beat up the man you sent to finish the job and she even paid the hospital debt."
Mateo chuckled quietly.
"And?"
"She purchased the building where the boy just got hired as an intern."
Mateo raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"Yes."
Ricardo hesitated.
"She's been watching him."
Mateo looked down at the photo clipped to the report.
Diego Herrera, a poor, stubborn and fearless boy and now the center of his daughter's attention.
Mateo's eyes darkened with curiosity.
"Interesting."
"Keep watching her," Mateo instructed.
Deep in him, he was astonished to know that Lucia was in the hospital and that Diego was her son.
Meanwhile, Diego's life changed overnight.
Three days after the hospital payment—
He received a phone call.
"Mr. Herrera?"
"Yes?"
"We are calling from Valencia & Ortega International legal Group."
Diego sat up straighter.
One of the most elite firms in Mexico.
His heart began pounding.
"You applied for our internship program."
"Yes," he said quickly.
He had applied five times, each one he was rejected.
"Well," the voice continued, "your application has been approved." Diego nearly dropped the phone.
"I… what?"
"You start on Monday."
The call ended.
Diego sat in stunned silence.
What was happening?
First the hospital bill.
Now this?
It felt like the universe had suddenly decided to help him.
But deep down…
He knew the truth.
This wasn't luck. It was Isabella.
He immediately called Bruce to share the exciting news with him. Bruce was so relieved and shared in his joy.
Across the city, Isabella stood on the rooftop of a glass skyscraper.
The skyline burned gold under the evening sun.
Her assistant handed her a tablet.
"The building purchase is complete."
She nodded.
"And the internship?"
"He starts on Monday."
A faint smile curved her lips.
Perfect.
Below her, thousands of people moved through the city.
But Isabella only cared about one of them.
Diego Herrera.
The man who had called her father a coward and survived.
The man who refused to kneel even when facing death.
Most men feared power. Most men chased it.
But Diego? He had rejected it.
And that made him fascinating.
She wanted to see what he would do when power started circling him.
Would he resist?
Would he change?
Or would he break?
Mateo's voice echoed in her memory.
That type of man can rebel against you.
Her smile widened slightly.
"Good," she whispered.
Because Isabella De La Cruz loved dangerous games.
And Diego Herrera had just become her favorite one.
Diego called Bruce and begged him to be with his mother at the hospital when he can, while he starts internship on Monday. He only did that so his heart can be at peace, knowing that Mateo is still after him and his mother.
Monday morning arrived.
Diego stood outside the towering glass building of Valencia & Ortega.
His hands trembled slightly.
He still couldn't believe this was real.
As he walked inside, employees moved around him in tailored suits and polished shoes.
This world was far above his own.
He felt out of place immediately.
What he didn't know—
From the top floor…
Someone was watching.
Isabella stood behind the tinted glass of a private office.
Her eyes followed him as he entered the building.
A slow thrill moved through her chest.
The game had officially begun.
Behind her, Mateo stepped silently into the room.
He watched the scene below.
Then he looked at his daughter.
"You are becoming very invested in this boy."
Isabella didn't turn. "He's interesting."
Mateo studied her carefully.
"Be careful."
She smiled faintly.
"I always am."
But Mateo's instincts had ruled cartels for twenty five years.
And right now…
They were telling him something dangerous.
Then suddenly gunshots sounded out of the building, many cars rushed in and armed men came out.