Chapter 5: The Art of Strategy

Amelia knew the next few days would be crucial. Her alliance with Laura was a solid step, but she still needed to strengthen her strategy. Diego Montenegro wasn’t a man who would crumble easily, and every detail of her plan had to be meticulously designed. That morning, she met with Eduardo again at a discreet café, far from the city center.

—How did it go with Laura? —Eduardo asked, stirring his coffee.

—Better than I expected. She’s willing to help us. In fact, we’ve already started outlining some initial steps —Amelia replied, keeping her voice low.

Eduardo nodded, visibly pleased.

—That’s a big step forward. Laura knows Diego’s businesses well. She’ll be an invaluable ally.

—I know. But there are still too many loose ends —Amelia replied, frowning. —We need more up-to-date information on his financial moves. Diego is skilled at hiding his assets, and if we want to hit him where it hurts, we need to know where to look.

Eduardo took a sip of his coffee, thoughtful.

—I could contact a friend of mine who works in corporate data analysis. He has access to sources that aren’t exactly legal, but they might give us what we need.

—Do you trust him? —Amelia asked, looking him straight in the eye.

—Completely. He’s discreet and very effective. If there’s anything shady in Diego’s dealings, he’ll find it.

Amelia nodded. She wasn’t comfortable involving more people, but she knew she couldn’t do this alone.

—All right. Do it. But make sure there’s no trail leading back to us.

Eduardo smirked knowingly.

—Relax, Amelia. I know how to handle this.

The rest of their conversation focused on fine-tuning the plan. Eduardo suggested using some of Diego’s old connections to sow distrust in his inner circle. Amelia, meanwhile, proposed gathering evidence that could be used in a future legal confrontation. Both agreed that the element of surprise would be their best ally.

Later, Amelia met with Laura again at her office. This time, they took their discussion to a more tactical level. Laura pulled out an old file she had kept for years, filled with documents related to Diego’s early ventures.

—Here. These are copies of some contracts and agreements we signed when we were partners. Many of the clauses are illegal, but back then, I didn’t have the resources to challenge him —Laura explained as she handed the pages to Amelia.

Amelia examined the documents carefully. Though some were too old to be useful in court, they contained behavioral patterns that could help predict Diego’s next moves.

—This is perfect, Laura. It gives us a solid foundation. But we need to dig deeper. Do you remember anyone else who worked with him and might have a grudge?

Laura thought for a moment before answering.

—There’s one person. Carlos Álvarez. He was Diego’s accountant a few years ago but was fired abruptly when he started asking questions about certain transactions. From what I heard, Carlos still holds a grudge.

Amelia wrote the name in her notebook.

—Good. I’ll try to contact him. In the meantime, can you keep going through your files? Anything you find could be useful.

Laura nodded, and the two women continued working in silence.

By evening, Amelia decided to take a short walk before heading home. She needed to clear her mind, but she also wanted to observe one of Diego’s main buildings up close. It was a modern tower in the heart of the city, with an imposing logo that reflected his corporate power. Amelia stopped in front of the building and stared at it with a mix of anger and determination.

—One day, all of this will be dust —she murmured to herself.

As she watched, she noticed a familiar figure stepping out of the main doors. It was Diego, flanked by two men who were clearly bodyguards. Amelia stepped back, hiding behind a newspaper stand. Seeing him in person after so long sent a jolt through her stomach. But it wasn’t fear she felt—it was a contained rage that fueled her desire for justice.

Diego paused to speak with what looked like an assistant. Though she couldn’t hear the conversation, Amelia sensed his arrogant, authoritative demeanor. She remembered the years she had spent by his side, enduring his manipulation and lies. Now, this man was her enemy, and she wouldn’t stop until she saw him fall.

When Diego finally walked away, Amelia emerged from her hiding spot and started heading home. The unexpected encounter had reinforced her resolve. Every step she took brought her closer to her goal, and she couldn’t afford to waver.

Back at her apartment, she sat at her notebook and began writing down everything she had learned. Every detail, no matter how small, was another piece of the puzzle she was assembling. She also made a list of people she needed to contact, prioritizing those who might be more vulnerable to her influence.

As she reviewed her notes, she thought about the small victories she had accumulated so far. There was still much to do, but the foundation was laid. For the first time in years, Amelia felt in control of her destiny. That night, she slept with the certainty that, though her enemy was powerful, she was destined to win this battle.

Yet, in the silence of the night, a thought kept her awake: What if Diego discovers my moves before I’m ready? The key wasn’t just strategy—it was unpredictability. Determined, she grabbed her notebook and began sketching new alternatives, knowing her greatest weapon was staying ahead of every possible scenario.

As the first light of dawn crept through her curtains, Amelia finally closed her notebook with a quiet snap. The city outside was beginning to stir, unaware of the invisible war being waged in its midst. She ran her fingers over the notebook's worn cover, its pages now filled with names, connections, and carefully constructed strategies. A quiet smile touched her lips - not of joy, but of cold satisfaction. Let Diego enjoy his false sense of security for now. Every move she made, every alliance she forged, was another thread in the noose tightening around his empire. The hunter had become the hunted, and soon, very soon, he would feel the ground crumbling beneath his feet just as she had. Amelia leaned back in her chair, watching as the rising sun painted the city in gold. The game was hers to win now. All she had to do was wait for the perfect moment to strike.