Chapter 859: A Lie for the Cameras

I looked at Nico, my mind chuckling darkly. Right now, whether I killed all those men or not doesn’t matter. The Mexican government was already under immense pressure—not just from within, but from global powers who saw me as untouchable.

The moment my name was involved, diplomacy bent. The moment I was threatened, nations trembled.

Nico was none the wiser. He stood there, arranging Arturo’s arrest, his focus on Lorena and her mother, who were crying helplessly as Arturo was dragged away. He didn’t see the real power in the room. He didn’t see the puppeteer.

Jayden stepped closer, her voice a hesitant whisper. "That... Master..." She swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward Benito and Patricia. "About my family..."

I didn’t answer her. Not yet.

Lorena broke away from her mother and rushed toward me, her voice desperate and trembling. "I—I’ll listen to you..." She dropped to her knees, her hands clutching at my coat, her voice breaking. "Please... let my dad go... I know you can do it... Please, I beg you..."

Nico didn’t even glance our way. He was too busy barking orders, his mind oblivious to the real game being played.

I looked down at Lorena, my expression cold but feigning sympathy. "Go call your mother," I said, my voice smooth and reassuring.

"And come with me." I placed a hand on her shoulder, my tone gentle but firm. "I promise... he will be free in a few hours. Okay?"

Lorena looked up at me, her eyes filled with desperate hope. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay..."

She stood, wiping her tears, and beckoned to her mother, who was still sobbing uncontrollably. The older woman hesitated, her eyes flicking between Nico and me, but Lorena pulled her forward, her voice shaking but determined. "Come on, Mom... It’s going to be okay."

I watched them, my expression unreadable.

Then, I turned to the police officers under my control, my voice cold and commanding. "Bring Jayden’s husband and daughter through the back door." My tone left no room for argument. "Meet us outside."

The officers nodded, their movements mechanical, their loyalty absolute.

Jayden’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in realization. She didn’t dare protest. She knew what was at stake.

Lorena and her mother followed me as I walked toward the exit, Jayden trailing behind, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. Nico still didn’t notice us, his attention fully on Arturo’s arrest.

As we stepped outside, the night air was cool, the station’s lights casting long shadows. Benito and Patricia were already there, standing with the officers, their expressions confused but obedient.

Jayden rushed to them, her voice a desperate whisper. "Benito... Patricia..." She pulled them into a tight embrace, her body shaking.

I watched them, my expression cold and calculating.

Lorena’s mother clutched her daughter’s arm, her voice trembling. "Lorena... what’s happening? Where are they taking your father?"

Lorena didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She just looked at me, her eyes filled with a fragile, desperate hope.

I stepped forward, my voice smooth and reassuring. "He’ll be fine," I said, my tone gentle but final. "You have my word."

Lorena nodded, her voice barely audible. "Thank you..."

Jayden’s eyes flickered between gratitude and terror, her mind racing with the weight of my lies. She knew the truth—my promises were hollow, my mercy a carefully constructed illusion. But she couldn’t speak. Not with Benito and Patricia standing so close, their faces confused but relieved to see her.

I smiled, my expression mockingly kind, my voice a dangerous whisper. "Now..." I said, "Let’s go."

Jayden’s phone suddenly buzzed. She flinched, pulling it out with trembling hands. After a brief glance, she looked at me, her voice hesitant but urgent. "They want you to make a statement... in public."

I nodded, my smile never wavering. "Lead the way."

Jayden turned to Benito and Patricia, her voice forcedly calm. "Go home." She tried to sound authoritative, but her hands betrayed her, trembling as she spoke.

Benito and Patricia hesitated, their eyes darting between Jayden and me. They hadn’t seen my powers, but they had seen enough—the tension, the arguments, the way Jayden flinched around me. They thought I was kidnapping them, blackmailing Jayden.

I didn’t let them dwell on it.

With a flick of my will, I wiped their memories—every moment of fear, every glance of suspicion—replacing them with a fabricated truth: They had come to meet Jayden. Now, they were going home.

Benito blinked, his expression clearing, as if waking from a daze. "Oh... right. We should get going." He turned to Patricia, his voice light and unburdened. "Come on, sweetie. Let’s head back."

Patricia nodded, her confusion fading into obedience. "Okay, Dad."

Jayden stared at me, her breath hitching, her eyes wide with shock. "You... wiped their memories?"

I smirked, my voice smooth and unapologetic. "I told you. Don’t worry." I gestured toward the exit. "Now. Where’s this press conference?"

Jayden swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. "They’ve arranged it downtown. The media’s already there."

"Lead the way," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

The car ride was silent. Lorena and her mother sat in the back, their faces pale and drawn.

Lorena’s mother clutched her daughter’s hand, her voice a trembling whisper. "Lorena... what’s happening? Why are we going to a press conference?"

Lorena didn’t answer. She just stared out the window, her mind racing with fear and confusion.

When we arrived, the press conference was already in full swing. Cameras flashed, reporters shouted questions, and the live feeds broadcast to millions.

I stepped forward, my posture confident, my smile charming and disarming.

A reporter thrust a microphone toward me. "Mr. Reynolds! There are reports that you were arrested earlier today! Can you clarify what happened?"

I chuckled, shaking my head as if amused by the absurdity. "Everything was just a misunderstanding," I said, my voice smooth and convincing.

"I was never arrested." I gestured to Lorena, who stood beside me, her expression carefully neutral.

"I was simply visiting my girlfriend’s father at the station. Unfortunately, he was arrested for unrelated charges." I shrugged, my tone light and dismissive. "I went to offer my support. That’s all."

The reporters erupted in questions.

"What about the allegations of murder and torture?"

"Are you controlling the Mexican government?"

I laughed, my expression mockingly incredulous. I shook my head, my smile never faltering. "I’m just a man. A man who cares about his girlfriend’s family."

I placed a hand on Lorena’s shoulder, my gesture possessive and protective. "As for the other allegations—baseless rumors spread by those who want to slander my name."

Lorena flinched under my touch, but she didn’t pull away. She knew the game she was forced to play.

A reporter pressed further. "Then why did armed soldiers escort you out of the station?"

I smiled, my voice calm and reasonable. "Security precautions. Given the false accusations circulating, the Mexican Government ensured I was protected." I gestured to Jayden, who stood stoically beside me. "Officer Jayden here was kind enough to assist in ensuring my safety."

Jayden’s face twitched, but she didn’t contradict me. She knew the consequences.

The reporters bombarded us with more questions, but I held up a hand, my voice firm but polite. "That’s all for now. Thank you."