Chapter 2

• Carlos sat still, swirlingling the blood-red wine in his glass as though it were time. Alejandro stood across from him, waiting anxiously. He knew that Carlos always intend to decide someone's fate when he poured wine at night.
• "So it's true then. You and Eena Morales are getting married." Alejandro said.
• Carlos looked at him and smiled faintly. "Word spreads quickly."
• "I'm not sure why, though. A girl from a middle-class family, whose name is ruined by debt, is barely surviving. She is not a part of your world. And also, you are aware that your father's demise is connected to the Morales. Why her? Alejandro said worrily.
• Carlos leaned back in his chair, lifting the glass to his lips before answering. He sipped slowly. “Exactly because of that, Alejandro. Because of her name. Because of her bloodline.”
• Alejandro shifted uncomfortably. “So this is about revenge.”
• Carlos chuckled low. He set the glass down and turned to Alejandro. “Revenge. Correction. Call it whatever. The Morales left a stain on my family. I’ll wipe it clean by tying their future to mine. And their precious daughter will be the one to pay the price.”
• Alejandro exhaled. “Carlos, this isn’t business. It’s cruelty. She’s innocent, and you know that."
• Carlos's face became stern, though his voice remained calm. “Innocence doesn’t matter. Do you think I care about her feelings? No. I will marry her, and every day she spends in my house will remind her parents of what they lost and what they owe. That girl will be my leverage… my weapon.”
• Alejandro watched him for a long moment, still bothered by the cold fire in his eyes. “And if she fights back?”
• “Then she’ll learn what it means to resist me". Carlos added. "I’m a patient man, Alejandro. I’ve built empires waiting for others to tumble. Do you think a fragile girl can outlast me?”
• Carlos reached for the wine again, turning it idly. "Besides," he added, almost as an afterthought, "There’s a spirit in her eyes. Stubborn and proud. Breaking that spirit will be extremely satisfying".
• Alejandro shook his head slowly.“I’ve stood by you in many things, Carlos. But this feels dangerous.”
• Carlos rose from his chair, tall and commanding; he looked out the window at the city lights. “Everything worth winning is risky. The Morales thought they could ruin the Castillos. Now, their daughter will carry my name. Their downfall will live in her shadow… every single day.”
• Alejandro didn’t reply. For once, he had no point to challenge the man before him. Carlos raised his glass one last time, whispering like a vow:
• “To revenge. To power. And to a bride who will never escape my hold"."
• At this moment, Carlos Castillo wasn’t just a man. He was a storm waiting patiently to consume everything in his path.
• _______
• Carlos Castillo. Tall and broad-shouldered, he moved with careless grace that could only come from years of power and privilege. His navy blue suit fitted perfectly to his strong frame. The body of a man who still found time to train despite his empire. His skin was fair and smooth. His dark hair is thick and perfectly groomed. His eyes were sharp and commanded attention. They looked like they could see straight through people, the kind that made men restless and made women forget to breathe.
• His steps showed confidence. His bodyguards followed him, but it was clear he needed no protection. Carlos Castillo was not just wealthy. He was full of influence, the kind of man whose presence changed the air around him, whose name alone made way and shut enemies up.
• When he entered the Morales home, it felt little. Humbled by his presence.
• “Señor Castillo,” Catalina gushed, her voice filled with admiration. “Welcome to our home. It's such an honor.
• Carlos raised a hand, silencing her. His eyes rested on Octavio, who had risen slowly from his chair. “Señor Morales,” Carlos said sharply. “I believe you know why I am here.”
• Octavio cleared his throat nervously. “Yes… Yes, we are aware.”
• One of the maids came forward with a glass of whiskey, placing it before Carlos, but he narrowly spared it a glance. He raised a hand, rejecting it with cool disinterest.
• “I don’t drink what I don’t choose,” he said.
• At once, one of his bodyguards stepped out. Moments later, the man returned carrying a sleek, dark bottle, its golden seal shining under the room’s light.
• Carlos nodded slightly. “Leave it on the table.”
• The bodyguard obeyed, setting the bottle downsilently. Carlos ran his hand across the label before turning back to Octavio.
• “This,” he said smoothly, “is from one of my companies. I brought in experts from overseas to perfect its flavor. Every bottle is crafted under my name. It is not just wine, it is a permanent footprint.”
• Octavio shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond.
• Catalina, on the other hand, lit up as though he had placed a treasure in front of her. “Incredible, Señor Castillo,” she gushed, “Only a man of true vision could think of such. To build an empire so vast. It is beyond admirable.”
• Carlos allowed a small smirk at the corner of his lips. “Admiration is wasted if it is not earned. I don’t rely on others’ inventions; I prefer to make my own, to own them completely.”
• Carlos leaned back, crossing one leg over the other with careless grace. "You already know my intention. Your daughter Eena will be my wife. In exchange, your debts vanish, your name gains back respect, and your family rises from the ashes of disgrace."
• Octavio's fist tightened. But before he could speak, Catalina clapped her hands together. "Of course, Señor Castillo. We are indeed grateful for your generosity."
• "I want to meet Eena myself tomorrow night, at my restaurant. Ensure she is ready and properly dressed. I expect nothing less."
• He pushed back his chair back and rose to his feet, looking toward the bottle of wine, he added, “Keep it. Consider it a rare treasure. A small taste of what your family stands to reap when Eena becomes mine.
• Without another word, Carlos went towards the door, and his guards followed.
• Octavio sank into his chair with his face pale. Catalina... did you hear how he spoke? Is this the man we want for our daughter?
• "Do not start this again, Octavio. That man holds our future in his hands. Your debts will bury us alive without him.
• "But his arrogance," Octavio began.
• "That doesn't matter when one is rich," Catalina added. Carlos Castillo is our survival option, and Eena would be his wife whether she likes it or not.