The day of Francisco's court appearance brought a storm of media attention. Outside the precinct gates, cameras flashed and reporters crowded the street, all desperate to capture the moment. His arrest had become the city's biggest headline, shaking up both the public and the criminal underworld.
With Francisco temporarily out of the picture, James seized the moment, expanding his grip on the underground network.
Inside the precinct, Hazel and Rafael pushed through the chaos. Reporters shouted, microphones reached over barricades, and officers scrambled to maintain control. Amid it all, Hazel leaned close and whispered something to Rafael. The concern in both their eyes was unmistakable.
But their moment was cut short. Across the room, Francisco's eyes locked on Hazel's. He wore a faint, knowing smirk that made her skin crawl.
Hazel quickly looked away and moved forward, her pace quickening beside Rafael. Every step felt heavier, as if something was about to slip out of control.
Miles away, in a hospital in Texas, disaster struck. Flames ripped through the second and third floors.
The fire created chaos... and a perfect distraction.
When officers arrived at Liam's secured cabin, they found nothing but an empty bed. Despite their precautions, Liam had vanished. It was their first real loss in the battle against Francisco, and it hit hard.
Meanwhile, an ambulance sped down a remote highway. Inside, Liam lay unconscious, still groggy from anesthesia. Diana, seated at his side, pulled her mask down and made a brief call.
"Everything has been done," she said calmly, her eyes fixed on Liam, then ended the call.
Back in court, police struggled to present their evidence. The missing proof caused murmurs and rising frustration in the gallery. High-ranking officials watched with impatience.
Francisco was sitting confidently.
Just then, Rafael and Hazel stepped into the courtroom. In Rafael's hand was a sealed packet containing a USB... one last hope.
He handed it to the judge.
The room fell silent.
The judge inserted the USB, and the screen lit up.
But instead of damning files and hidden crimes, the drive held only generic business presentations and data charts.
Empty.
Clean.
The courtroom fell into stunned silence.
Hazel stared at the screen, then at Francisco, then back to the judge.
All their hope... all their work... rested on that drive. And now it was worthless.
Rafael clenched his jaw, disbelief etched across his face. The USB was supposed to be the breakthrough. Instead, it shattered their momentum.
Hazel's mind raced.
How? When did this happen?
Someone had swapped or wiped it clean. And whoever did it had planned it perfectly.
Francisco's lawyer wasted no time. He seized the moment, using the missing evidence to hammer the police in front of the judge.
"This entire investigation has been unprofessional and humiliating," he argued sharply. "It's a clear case of harassment without a shred of solid proof."
The courtroom buzzed.
Whispers, glances, disbelief.
The police had lost every key piece of evidence. What once seemed like a strong case had collapsed completely. They couldn't prove anything.
Francisco stood slowly, brushing off his suit. A victorious smirk tugged at his lips. His lawyer walked over, extending a hand. Francisco shook it with quiet satisfaction, as if the win had been inevitable.
Hazel stood frozen, disbelief washing over her.
"How could this happen?" she whispere.
Outside the courtroom, Max and Francisco's men waited to welcome him. But before stepping out, Francisco paused at the door.
He turned, locking eyes with Hazel. His smirk deepened.
A silent message passed between them... mocking, cold, and cruel. Then his gaze shifted to Rafael. A flicker of menace passed through his eyes before he turned and walked away.
The damage was done.
Media outlets exploded. News anchors and politicians blasted the police, calling the case a reckless embarrassment. The public outcry was intense.
The revelation that they had harassed a prominent tycoon, Francisco, led to significant repercussions.
The backlash was immediate... and brutal.
Sheriff Alex got the worst of it. Summoned by the president, he stood before the nation's top authority, facing hard questions and sharp consequences.
Days passed.
The storm eventually began to settle... but not without scars.
Rafael and Sheriff Alex faced an ultimatum from the president.
Though the headlines calmed, the investigation didn't stop. Deep down, they knew Francisco was hiding Liam. But without hard evidence, their hands were tied.
The system demanded proof... and Francisco had left none behind.
In the days following the courtroom chaos, an unusual calm settled between Hazel and Francisco. Hazel no longer saw him in person... only glimpses through news segments and interviews on TV.
A week later, Hazel and Rafael stepped out for what should've been a normal, joyful errand... choosing her bridal gown.
Inside the boutique, soft music played in the background. Hazel stood in front of a large mirror, the delicate fabric of the gown draping around her. She studied herself quietly.
"This will be perfect for you, Ms.," the saleswoman said with a warm smile.
Hazel returned a faint smile, her thoughts somewhere far off.
"Okay, pack it," she said after a moment.
Outside the fitting room, Rafael waited, arms crossed casually as he watched the door with quiet anticipation.
Hazel stepped out, now dressed in her regular clothes, holding the folded gown carefully. They walked together toward the counter.
But just as Hazel handed the gown to the cashier, a sharp voice cut through the quiet store.
"Hazel!"
Both Hazel and Rafael turned at once.
There, by the entrance, stood Francisco... his arm casually wrapped with Emily's. Emily's eyes locked onto Hazel with cold anger, while Francisco wore the faintest of smirks.
Emily's voice dripped with venom as she added, "It's a shame we met you here."
Hazel's heart pounded as her eyes locked with Francisco's... those deep, unreadable blue eyes. A rush of emotion surged through her – unease, tension, and something darker she couldn't quite name.
His calm stare held an eerie undertone, like the stillness before a storm.
Rafael stepped forward, voice sharp with sarcasm.
"Ms. Emily, we're not thrilled to see you and your boyfriend either."
Emily's eyes narrowed, lips curling with disdain.
"Oh really? Actually, after the way you guys harassed my boyfriend, he should file a harassment case against your girlfriend. But Francisco is a kind man, so he did not."
Rafael let out a short, dry chuckle.
"Oh, your boyfriend is a kind man, really? He should show his kindness to the world as well."
Before Emily could snap back, Francisco placed a calm hand over hers – a quiet signal to stop. His face remained composed, his smile polite yet unreadable.
"Mr. Rafael," he said smoothly, "I think you came here for your wedding. So please, don't bother us."
Rafael clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to respond. The ease in Francisco's tone, especially after all that had happened, gnawed at him. He had expected rage, bitterness... something. But Francisco remained maddeningly calm.
Hazel placed a gentle hand on Rafael's arm.
"Let's go, Rafael. We're getting late."
As they stepped past Francisco and Emily, his voice followed them, casual but loaded.
"My best wishes for both of your wedding. Only happiness will come to your life after the wedding."
Hazel stiffened.
The words sounded pleasant, but something in his tone sent a chill crawling down her spine.
She turned, just briefly, and caught Francisco's smile.
It was soft.
Charming.
But wrong.
Too wide.
Too steady.
And behind it, something unhinged... like a mask stretched over something volatile.
Francisco tilted his head slightly, still smiling.
"I need to give you guys a gift," he added. "Because I know you guys won't invite me."
Hazel arched her brows.
Rafael, keeping his gaze steady, said sharply, "We don't want your ominous gift."
Francisco's smirk didn't fade.
"What if your would-be wife wants it?"
Hazel gently tugged Rafael's arm and spoke calmly, "Love, we need to go back. We have to prepare a lot of things."
Rafael nodded.
Without another word, they walked out of the bridal shop.
But even as they moved away, Hazel could feel his gaze burning into their backs. His silence said more than words.
Emily touched his hand lightly.
"Love, let's go inside," she said, trying to guide him away.
Francisco's expression turned quiet and distant. After one last glance at the door Hazel and Rafael had disappeared through, he finally followed Emily back inside.
'I will give a surprise gift, Hazel.'
In the car, Hazel clipped her seatbelt with a tense motion. Her face was tight, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. Rafael reached across and held her hand firmly.
"Hazel, he won't do anything to us. I'll double the security tomorrow."
Hazel gave a small nod, drawing strength from his voice and touch.
"We'll do a small arrangement," Rafael added.
Hazel let out a soft breath, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
But neither of them could shake the feeling that Francisco wasn't done.