Free Lunch

Free Lunch
Another disappearance. This time, it was yet another wealthy businessman. In the gathered room, everyone was discussing what to do. The best solution would be to have a serious conversation.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. They were all gathered again around the main table, which seemed too small to accommodate so many concerns. Mayara observed the tense faces of each person-Guilherme, with his hands crossed over the table; Cassandra, casting furtive glances; Paul, always serious and strategic; and even Sabrina, who, despite appearing calm, had a glimmer of worry in her eyes. Diego and Lucas leaned against the wall, murmuring to each other, while Celina, still with crutches beside her, remained silent but clearly attentive.
\- Another disappearance... - Guilherme broke the silence, his voice heavy with frustration. - Now it's Joaquim Torres, another heavyweight businessman. This is getting out of control.
\- They are targeting the wealthiest and most influential - Paul said, adjusting his glasses and leaning forward. - But why? What is Santiago's objective with this?
\- Intimidation - Lucas suggested. - He wanted to show power. He wants to keep us scared and submissive.
\- Not just that. - Sabrina crossed her arms, looking directly at Mayara. - He's creating a psychological game. It's as if he wants to make us make the wrong decision, to err in our next move.
Mayara nodded, her eyes fixed on the table. She felt like she was dealing with something bigger than she could foresee, but she wouldn't show weakness. She took a deep breath before speaking.
\- Then we need to act. We can no longer just react to his moves. It's time for a serious conversation and to make a clear decision. If we keep hesitating, he will continue to destabilize us.
\- I agree - Paul said, looking directly at Guilherme. - But that means uniting forces, and perhaps making alliances that may not be comfortable for everyone.
Guilherme's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Cassandra, on the other hand, made a point of voicing her opinion clearly:
\- Dangerous alliances can be more harmful than Santiago. We don't need him to destroy us if we start giving in internally.
\- Cassandra, this isn't about pride - Sabrina retorted, impatiently. - This is about survival. Santiago is playing with our weaknesses, and he is winning.
Mayara looked at everyone, the tension mounting with each passing second.
\- We need a plan now. Something that Santiago didn't foresee. And we need to know who we are dealing with. If anyone else disappears, it will be too late.
Everything referred to the fact that Santiago was in control of all situations.
Mayara glanced at her parents and Paul. She recalled past events that now made sense to her. Nothing could be more suspicious than...
She leaned against the table as she thought about all the moments that had brought them to this point. Paul and her father exchanged strange looks, as if they were hiding a deep secret. It was already known to the girl that her father was the godfather of organized crime.
Mayara leaned against the table, her fingers gliding over the cold surface, while her mind raced through the events that had led them to this point. Each piece of the puzzle seemed more confusing than before. The tension in the room was suffocating, but the silence between Paul and Guilherme particularly caught her attention. 
The two exchanged intense glances, almost as if they were having a silent conversation, filled with meanings that no one else could grasp. Paul's serious face appeared even more closed off, while Guilherme frowned, clearly uncomfortable.
Mayara knew. This was not just concern over the current situation. It wasn't just fear of Santiago. It was something deeper, something they probably preferred to keep buried. Since she was very young, she had heard rumors, whispered words through the walls of the Halley mansion-her father, Guilherme, was not just an influential businessman. He was the godfather of crime, someone who had walked dangerously close to the shadows of illicit power in the past. And Paul, so strategic and always with an answer for everything, seemed to be part of that same web.
She crossed her arms, trying to organize her thoughts.
\- Do you know something that you're not telling us? - Mayara asked, her voice firmer than she expected.
The two men turned to her simultaneously. Guilherme was the first to speak, quickly averting his gaze.
\- This is not the time for theories, Mayara. We have real problems to solve.
\- Don't dodge the question, Dad. - Her green eyes shone with determination. - You and Paul are hiding something. I can feel it.
Paul let out a heavy sigh, adjusting himself in his chair. He glanced at Guilherme, as if asking for permission to speak.
\- Mayara, some things are better left in the past. But I assure you that we are not hiding anything that puts the family at risk right now. Our focus is Santiago and the lives he is threatening.
\- Right... - Mayara replied, not taking her gaze off either of them. - But I will find out what you don't want to say. One way or another.
She stepped away from the table, the weight of distrust growing within her. Guilherme and Paul might not admit it, but she knew there was more to the story than they were revealing. And this could be the key to understanding how to confront Santiago-or just another complication in a game that already seemed impossible to win.
For all of them, defeating Santiago was a matter of honor. Mayara was thinking about how Paul could approach and frame this fight. In total, Santiago had found enemies equally powerful as him, at the same level of wealth and absurd intelligence, who were dictating the rules of the game, giving Santiago the rope to fall.a betrayal would make Santiago fall. and everyone could have their secret weapons. in