Chapter 8 - THE TRAP CLOSES
Before Marcos could answer, the heavy front doors opened once more.
This time, it wasn't a health inspector. It was a tall, silver-haired man in an expensive gray suit, accompanied by two federal marshals and a team of forensic accountants carrying heavy briefcases.
Carlos Silva strode into the restaurant, a smug, triumphant smirk plastered across his face. He assumed Souza had already terrified Marcos into submission.
"Well, well, Albuquerque," Carlos called out loudly, walking straight toward the kitchen entrance. "I hear you're having a little trouble maintaining standards here. Shame. A nice place like this. But arrogance has a price, doesn't it?"
Marcos turned to face him, the small smile still playing on his lips. "Mr. Silva. To what do I owe the pleasure? Did your wife send you to pick up her handbag, or are you here to embarrass yourself in person?"
Carlos's smile faltered for a second at the lack of fear, but he recovered quickly, stepping up beside the corrupt health inspector. "You made a very big mistake crossing my family, Marcos. You publicly humiliated my wife over a worthless servant. And now? Your restaurant is closed. Your license is revoked."
"Is it?" Marcos asked mildly. He turned to the federal marshals standing quietly behind Carlos. "Gentlemen, I believe you have something for Mr. Silva."
Carlos frowned, looking back at the marshals. "What is this?"
The lead marshal stepped forward, opening a thick manila folder and pulling out several stiff legal documents. "Carlos Silva, you are being served with a federal subpoena and an immediate asset-freezing injunction. You are under investigation for municipal bribery, zoning fraud, and illegal kickbacks related to the Jardins municipal contracts."
The color drained entirely from Carlos's face. The smug smirk vanished, replaced by a mask of sheer terror. "This... this is absurd! You can't do this! I have political protection! Souza, tell them!"
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Inspector Souza turned pale, looking frantically at Carlos, suddenly realizing he had walked into a federal trap.
Marcos crossed his arms, looking down at the real estate mogul. "You didn't really think I built one of the most successful restaurant empires in Brazil by being naive, did you, Carlos? The moment your wife threw a tantrum at my door, my legal team pulled your corporate files. It turns out, buying city inspectors leaves a very clean paper trail when you know which federal prosecutors to hand it to."
