Rafa nodded and walked off without another word.
Victor looked back at Ximena.
She had already gone back to staring at the rain.
After a few seconds, she reached into her backpack and pulled out a crushed granola bar. The wrapper was slightly torn.
Victor noticed.
“That’s your dinner?” he asked.
She gave a small shrug.
“I still have half.”
That was it.
That was the moment something inside him hardened completely.
Not because she was complaining.
But because she wasn’t.
Rafa returned quickly.
“The night manager is Esteban Valdés,” he said in a low voice. “We’ve heard things. Payroll issues. Missing hours. Staff too scared to speak.”
Victor didn’t respond immediately.
He just nodded once.
Then he said:
“Bring him to me.”
Minutes passed.
