The silence still lingered in the room when Luis spoke:
"Grandfather… father…"
His voice was calm, but firm.
"From this point on… I need you to trust me."
Augusto and Eduardo exchanged a brief glance.
It wasn't surprise.
It was hesitation.
Augusto was the first to respond:
"That depends on what you're planning, son."
Luis didn't hesitate.
"I want to speak directly with Álvaro Bittencourt."
Miguel frowned immediately.
"Young master, is that really appropriate?"
Luis continued:
"Not to confront him."
"To negotiate."
Silence returned.
Heavier this time.
Eduardo leaned slightly on the table.
"Negotiate… with someone who is trying to bring us down."
Luis nodded.
"Yes."
Augusto crossed his arms.
"I don't think Álvaro is willing to negotiate. If he were, he would have approached us already. And even if he accepts… what exactly do you intend to offer?"
Luis answered without haste:
"Something he cannot refuse."
Eduardo let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"Everyone thinks that… until they are refused."
Luis glanced at him briefly.
"In this case… it's not a matter of persuasion."
"It's a matter of structure."
The old man narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Explain."
Luis took a breath, but did not go into details yet.
"I'm still planning, so I can't give a full explanation. But for this to work… I need your help, grandfather. I want you to organize a dinner."
Eduardo frowned.
"A dinner?"
"Discreet, but… carefully selected."
"Specific people."
Eduardo's gaze sharpened.
"Who exactly do you want to gather?"
Before Luis could answer, the old man continued:
"And are you sure this is wise?"
"Our only advantage is that Álvaro still doesn't know we are aware of his movements."
Luis shook his head slightly.
"That doesn't change anything. Even if he knew, his plans wouldn't change. You said it yourself—it's only a matter of time before he gathers enough support. After our family falls, you will naturally be next, grandfather… and you know that."
Eduardo frowned.
He knew it.
He was powerful and influential—but not untouchable.
The moment he showed weakness, the hyenas would come.
Augusto intervened, more serious:
"You're ignoring an important point."
"If we make a mistake here… we won't get a second chance."
Luis held his father's gaze.
"I know. But it doesn't seem like we have another option."
And for the first time since the beginning of the conversation, there was something more there.
Not just confidence.
Conviction.
"That's exactly why it needs to work."
Eduardo watched in silence.
"You said you'll offer something irresistible."
"What exactly?"
A small smile appeared at the corner of Luis's mouth.
"I said he won't refuse."
He paused.
"Because he won't be able to."
Miguel exhaled, impatient.
"That doesn't answer anything."
Luis ignored him.
He walked to the table, picked up a sheet of paper, and handed it to Eduardo.
"This answers it."
Eduardo took the paper calmly.
But the moment his eyes landed on the first name…
his expression changed.
It wasn't exaggerated.
But it was immediate.
His eyebrows lifted slightly.
His gaze hardened.
He read the second name.
And then the third.
This time, he looked up.
Straight at Luis.
"Are you joking with me?"
Luis simply maintained his faint smile.
"No."
Eduardo let out a small breath through his nose.
Almost a laugh.
But without humor.
"This isn't a dinner."
"This is… a minefield."
Augusto leaned slightly forward.
"What's on that paper?"
Eduardo didn't answer.
He was still looking at his grandson.
"Do you have any idea what you're asking?"
Luis nodded.
"I do."
"And I know exactly what can happen if this goes wrong."
A heavy silence followed.
Then Luis spoke again, more quietly this time:
"But I also know what happens if it works."
He placed a hand lightly on the table.
"Álvaro won't have a choice."
"None."
Eduardo narrowed his eyes.
"You're trying to corner him."
Luis tilted his head slightly.
"No."
"I'm changing the scenario."
Eduardo finally looked back at the paper.
His fingers tightened slightly around it.
"These names…"
He paused.
"If I manage to gather all of them…"
He looked at Luis again.
"What exactly do you intend to do?"
Luis answered calmly:
"Nothing too complex."
"Just… distribute the right interests among different people."
A brief silence.
Then he added:
"I'll build something large enough that Álvaro won't dare act the way he intends. If I can't clear the water… I'll make it even murkier—so he won't dare to drink."
His eyes shone with quiet confidence.
Miguel let out a half-smile, understanding.
Eduardo's expression changed again.
Now… there was real interest.
Luis continued:
"Each person gets what they want."
"Or what they think they want."
"And in the end…"
His eyes returned to his grandfather.
"I want to see if Álvaro has the courage to take more than he can carry."
Silence.
Different this time.
More dangerous.
Eduardo slowly folded the paper.
"This will take work."
Luis didn't look away.
"I know."
The old man took a deep breath.
And then… a faint smile appeared.
"Let's do it your way."