CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192

She dug through the bag with quick, practiced movements, pulling out a neatly folded paper — a printed photo she had once taken from the house records, It was a picture of Valentina, recent and clear.

Then Maria stepped forward and offered it to them carefully, almost ceremoniously, like presenting a weapon to a soldier.

"This is Valentina," she said quietly.

"Now you know exactly who you’re looking for."

The scarred man took the photo without a word, glancing at it once before slipping it into his jacket pocket, the silent understanding that passed between them needed no words.

Maria stepped back, her heart hammering in excitement, she had done her part, now it was up to them.

And soon very soon Valentina would finally pay, without wasting another second, Maria spun on her heels and rushed toward her room, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and excitement.

She yanked open a drawer, rummaging through a stack of old files and photographs until she found her pen.

But she didn’t stop there, she walked back to the living room Maria quickly pulled out a small piece of paper she had scribbled on earlier Raymond’s address.

She thrust it forward.

"This is where she stays," she added, her voice gaining a desperate edge, as if she couldn’t wait for them to leave and strike.

"And just in case you don’t want to go to her home," Maria continued, "she’s the new director of Sterling Design, you’ll find her there too, every day."

However the men said nothing.

No nods, no acknowledgments,Just cold, silent acceptance.

One of them reached out, took the photo and the slip of paper from her hand, and tucked them away without a word, then, as if she no longer existed, the three turned and began to walk away, their heavy steps echoing off the marble floor.

Maria stood frozen, watching them leave, The moment the door clicked shut behind them, her lips twisted into a cruel smile.

She tightened her fists so hard her knuckles turned white, feeling the surge of satisfaction bubbling inside her.

Yes. It’s working. It’s all working in my favor, a small, breathy laugh escaped her lips.

She could already imagine it, Valentina broken, her proud husband helpless.

Everything stripped away from them, and all because they dared to challenge her.

At that moment Maria smiled wider, her heart racing with dark delight.

"You think you can touch me? Pressure me? No one crosses Maria and gets away with it."

This time, she was going to make sure Valentina didn’t just fall

She was going to make her suffer.

Maria was still basking in her small victory, her mind already weaving images of Valentina’s downfall, when a sharp ding echoed through the silent house.

Immediately She paused, then her heart skipped a beat.

The sound had come from her laptop a new notification, Maria’s eyes widened slightly, and without wasting a second, she turned and practically sprinted toward the desk.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she flipped open the screen, when the page refreshed, her heart jumped to her throat, It was a direct message, From Damien, For a moment, Maria just stared at the screen, her breath catching.

Already? He replied this quickly?

She hadn’t expected such an immediate response.

But here it was — a block of text waiting for her, with a shaky hand, Maria clicked the message open.

And as she read the words, a slow, wicked smile curled on her lips.

Damien’s message was short, but it carried more venom than she could have dreamed.

[Thank you, your message confirmed what my instincts kept telling me all these years.]

[I thought maybe I was crazy... maybe I was just bitter. But you have cleared my doubts, Valentina was the one who ruined me.]

[She destroyed my reputation, my future, everything I fought for.

And she pretended to be the victim, I swear... I will make her pay for every second of suffering she caused me, I will not fold my arms and watch this pass like some forgotten memory Valentina is going to regret ever crossing me.]

At that moment Maria leaned back in her chair, stunned, For a moment, she just stared at the glowing screen, feeling the rush of power flooding through her veins.

It worked, It really worked, She hadn’t just planted a seed she had unleashed a storm, Damien wasn’t just angry.

He was black furious beyond reason, burning with the need for revenge.

And now, he was fully on the path Maria had paved for him.

Valentina wouldn’t just have the Circle coming after her, now, Damien too with all his wealth, influence, and bitterness would be hunting her down.

At that moment Maria closed the laptop slowly, savoring the sweet taste of her success.

The walls were closing in around Valentina.

And this time, there would be no escape, Maria leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with a cold, victorious light.

She couldn’t stop the grin that stretched across her face.

Two beasts two powerful, dangerous forces were now stirred awake and aiming straight for Valentina, and she barely had to lift a finger.

This is too easy, Maria thought darkly, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the table.

She didn’t even need to be the one to drag Valentina down anymore.

The Circle, Damien.

Both had reasons now personal reasons to crush Valentina without mercy, and Maria know she would just simply sit back and watch it all happen.

Still, she knew better than to leave the fire burning low.

She needed to fan it to make sure Damien stayed furious, stayed blinded by rage, without wasting any more time, Maria cracked her knuckles lightly, then began typing another message to Damien.

[I’m glad you now know the truth,

You deserved to know it a long time ago, Since you’re back in the city, I just thought you should hear something else too.]

She paused for a second, choosing her words carefully, each one designed to ignite Damien’s anger even further.

[I overheard Valentina recently.

She was speaking on the phone, It seems the same people who once bribed her to destroy your family have contacted her again.]