The news of the patriarch's assassination did not go unnoticed. Many families heard of it, though no one was certain who was responsible—at least not at first. That uncertainty began to fade when rumors spread that the Gómez family had sent troops to surround the De Castro estate.

Even though the Gómez family publicly claimed that the De Castro Gómez branch had paid them to prevent further conflict, suspicion lingered. After all, throughout Medellín and all of Antioquia it was well known that a rivalry had existed ever since the Gómez family had settled in the city. Aurelio's son, now the new patriarch, never made any explicit accusations, yet he also never rejected the explanation that the Gómez family might have been involved. His silence alone caused trouble.

As a result, people in Medellín grew cautious—and afraid. Whispers spread that one day the Gómez family might suddenly turn their forces against the city itself. This fear soon had consequences: Carlos's industries across Antioquia, and even in Bogotá, began to suffer. Production slowed, contracts were delayed, and pressure from the colonial government mounted, particularly regarding the pozzolana mines.

Carlos frowned as he listened to Miguel's account of the situation. When Miguel finished speaking, Carlos asked quietly,"So you are certain it was not our men?"

Miguel nodded. Carlos's butler also inclined his head and added,"Master, I can personally attest to it. My men saw our forces withdraw from the area immediately after Miguel received the mining lands."

Carlos sighed deeply."Even if that is the truth, the situation is dire. Setting aside the secret army that attacked the De Castro estate, the elites of Medellín and Antioquia are already pressuring the governor to act against us. And on the surface, we were the only armed force seen approaching that family's lands. Suspicion was inevitable."

Miguel frowned."But master, without proof they cannot act openly. Even if they suspect us, at most they will cause minor troubles."

Carlos smiled bitterly."That would be true under normal circumstances. But Krüger's army will arrive here in a couple of months. With the viceroy and the elite families already watching us closely, it will be nearly impossible to receive foreign soldiers without provoking panic. After the destruction of the De Castro family, if German troops suddenly appear under our protection, many will believe we intend to seize Medellín itself."

He lowered his head, pressing his hands against his temples."This could not have happened at a worse time. If it had been last year—or even two years ago—we could have ignored the accusations and repaired our reputation over time. But now… the timing is disastrous."

Silence fell over the room. Miguel and the butler exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to respond.

Then a servant entered, visibly shaken—caught between panic and fear, unsure how to speak.

Carlos raised his head at once. Miguel and the butler turned as well.

The butler opened his mouth to scold the boy, but Carlos lifted a hand to stop him."Speak," Carlos said calmly. "Tell me what has happened."

The servant said nervously,"There is a woman outside, sir. She claims to be Mr Aurelio's daughter and is asking to see you. She appears frightened—constantly looking over her shoulder, as if she is being hunted."

At those words, Carlos's eyes lit up for a brief moment before narrowing in thought."Who would dare attack Aurelio's surviving daughter," he asked quietly, "and in broad daylight?"

The butler's face went pale."The same people who murdered Mr Aurelio," he said gravely. "If she was present and knows the truth, her testimony could clear our house of suspicion. More than that—it could place every elite family, and even the viceroy himself, on alert. An army capable of appearing without warning, destroying one of Antioquia's great families, and vanishing afterward would cause chaos—even in Bogotá. Many heads could fall if this matter is not handled carefully."

Miguel frowned."But then why not act against us as well? Do we not possess an army equally capable of destroying an elite family?"

Carlos let out a short, humorless chuckle."It is not the same. Our men are known. The government knows where they come from and roughly how many we command. If we ever moved openly, they could react swiftly. But a secret army—one that entered New Granada silently, struck a powerful house, and disappeared without a trace—that is a direct insult to royal authority and to Spain's control over the colonies."

Miguel nodded, then suddenly went pale himself."Master, we must protect her immediately. If she is still being pursued and dies on our land, no one will ever believe our words again. The blame for Mr Aurelio's death would fall entirely upon our house."

Carlos reacted at once. He seized the musket he always kept in his office and rushed outside with Miguel, who called for additional men as they ran toward the estate's entrance.

There she was—a small woman, visibly shaken, her clothes torn and filthy. Around her stood several wounded servants, one of them clutching an arm pierced by a gunshot. Carlos raised his voice sharply:"Take positions. Prepare yourselves. If anyone dares approach this estate, make sure they do not leave alive."

The men immediately armed themselves and formed defensive lines around the grounds. Carlos approached the woman more calmly and sighed with relief when he saw she bore no wounds.

"Miss," he said gently, "it would be far safer for you to enter the estate. Outside is no longer secure."

One of the injured men who had accompanied her nodded grimly."Yes, miss. You should go inside. We do not know when that little bastard may strike again."

The woman—Amelia, daughter of Mr Aurelio—nodded, still visibly shaken. Carlos was about to guide her inside when his gaze suddenly fixed on a hill roughly three hundred meters beyond the estate.

"Attack!" he shouted, throwing himself in front of Amelia.

A shot rang out.

The bullet tore into Carlos's arm.

The soldiers reacted instantly, unleashing fire toward the hill as a cavalry unit thundered forward with weapons drawn. Bleeding heavily, Carlos was supported by his men and rushed toward Grandmother María's quarters while others secured the perimeter. Amelia, clearly shaken, followed close behind, shielded by the pitiful remnants of the servants who had survived the attack.

Inside, Isabella froze when she saw her father's condition. She broke into tears and followed them anxiously.

"Father—are you all right? What happened?" she cried, her voice trembling as questions poured from her like a desperate child.

The butler stopped her gently but firmly."Miss, you must remain behind. If you interfere now, Mr. Gómez's condition may worsen."

Grandmother María, who stood beside Ogundele, was startled by the commotion. She shoved Ogundele aside and immediately began issuing orders with sharp authority. Ogundele, though clearly shaken, asked calmly,"What happened to the master?"

Miguel was surprised that Ogundele spoke Spanish. The last time he had seen him, young Master Francisco had required translators to communicate.

"The master was shot," Miguel explained. "The attacker was at least two hundred meters away, hidden on a hill. He was aiming at the De Castro lady. The master shielded her and took the bullet himself."

Ogundele's eyes widened."Two hundred meters? That is impossible. A musket's effective range is barely eighty—less if one seeks accuracy."

Miguel frowned."I have heard of a European weapon called a rifle. It is used for assassinations of this kind, but only by elite armies. Even my master has only seen one before—in his father's estate in Spain."

Ogundele hesitated, then asked carefully,"May I see it? If I can examine it, I might be able to reproduce it."

Miguel paused."I will ask Master Carlos when he recovers. I see no issue. Still, we do not yet know whether the shooter was captured. If he escaped, obtaining the weapon will be impossible."

Ogundele nodded in understanding.

The estate descended into chaos. Groups of servants patrolled the grounds at a run, searching for further threats. The attack had exposed dangerous weaknesses in the estate's defenses. Miguel himself was sweating with tension.

At last, one of the men returned.

"Sir, we recovered the shooter's body," he reported. "But there is something strange. When he realized he could not escape, he swallowed something—perhaps poison. He also tried to destroy the weapon. We do not know how badly it was damaged."

Miguel examined the corpse and frowned."He is neither Spanish nor indigenous. He looks Italian—though I cannot say from where exactly. Keep him here. Grandmother María may know what he took."

Behind a wall, Isabella had overheard everything. When she saw the body of the man who had shot her father, rage overcame her grief. She lashed out and kicked the corpse.

Servants restrained her at once."Miss, it is not worth it. Please, stop."

"But he almost killed my father," she sobbed. "He does not deserve to die so easily."

Miguel could only hold her until her strength failed. He sighed heavily.

This situation could not have come at a worse time.

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