The revelation that Pedro and Delgado planned to sabotage the Cruz Oil refinery in Marseille left Sanchez no time to waste. Early the next morning, he summoned Hedro, Susan, and his head of security to the study. The room, usually filled with calm deliberation, now buzzed with urgency.
"Our refinery in Marseille is their next target," Sanchez began, his voice resolute. "If they succeed, the damage won't just be financial—it'll destroy the trust Cruz Oil has spent decades building."
Hedro leaned forward, his expression grim. "We need a counterplan. Do we shut down the refinery temporarily?"
Sanchez shook his head. "Shutting it down would alert them that we're aware of their plan. They'd pivot to another target, and we'd be back to square one. No, we need to let them think they've caught us off guard while setting a trap of our own."
Susan, seated beside him, looked concerned but determined. "What can I do to help?"
Sanchez met her gaze, appreciating her unwavering support. "I need you to keep the family safe here. Your presence at the estate will give me peace of mind while I handle this."
Susan nodded, though the weight of worry didn't leave her eyes. "Be careful, Sanchez. We can't afford to lose you."
---
By noon, Sanchez and Hedro were en route to Marseille, accompanied by a team of trusted security personnel. As they traveled, Sanchez laid out his plan.
"We'll increase security at the refinery without drawing attention," Sanchez said. "Surveillance cameras, undercover guards, and enhanced fire safety protocols. If Pedro and Delgado move, we'll be ready to intercept."
Hedro nodded. "And what about the informant's claim that there's a mastermind pulling the strings? If Pedro is just a pawn, this could go deeper than we thought."
"I know," Sanchez admitted. "But for now, Pedro is the one making moves. We deal with him first, then figure out who's behind him."
---
The refinery in Marseille was a sprawling industrial complex, its towering stacks and humming machinery a testament to Cruz Oil's global reach. Upon their arrival, Sanchez and Hedro met with the site manager, a sharp-eyed woman named Claire Dupont.
"Mr. Twist, we've implemented the enhanced security measures you requested," Claire reported. "But if there's a specific threat, we need more details to prepare adequately."
Sanchez appreciated her professionalism. "We have credible intelligence that someone is planning to sabotage the facility. The specifics are unclear, but we need everyone on high alert. Discretion is key—we don't want to create panic."
Claire nodded. "Understood. I'll brief the staff and ensure the team is ready for any situation."
---
As night fell, the refinery buzzed with activity. Workers carried out their duties under the watchful eyes of undercover guards, while Sanchez and Hedro monitored the situation from a makeshift command center.
Around midnight, the first signs of trouble appeared. Security cameras caught two suspicious figures sneaking into a restricted area, their movements calculated and deliberate.
"They're in," Hedro said, his voice tense.
Sanchez nodded, his eyes fixed on the screen. "Wait for my signal. We need to catch them red-handed."
The intruders worked quickly, planting small devices near key pipelines. From the command center, Sanchez and his team identified the devices as explosives.
"Call in the response team," Sanchez ordered. "We move now."
---
Within minutes, a group of guards, led by Hedro, surrounded the intruders. One of the men tried to flee but was tackled to the ground, while the other surrendered without resistance.
"Who sent you?" Hedro demanded, his voice cold.
The captured men remained silent, their expressions defiant. Hedro's team confiscated their communication devices and the explosives, securing the area before turning the intruders over to the local authorities.
---
Back in the command center, Sanchez reviewed the confiscated devices with his tech team. One of the captured phones contained encrypted messages that, once decoded, revealed the next phase of Pedro's plan: a coordinated attack on Cruz Oil's shipping routes.
"He's not stopping," Hedro said, shaking his head. "This was just a diversion."
Sanchez leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "Pedro is desperate, and desperate men make mistakes. If he's moving this aggressively, it means he's feeling the pressure. We use that to our advantage."
---
As dawn broke over Marseille, Sanchez returned to the estate, exhausted but determined. Susan was waiting for him in the living room, her worry etched across her face.
"You're back," she said, relief washing over her. "What happened?"
Sanchez sank into the couch beside her, taking her hand. "We stopped the sabotage at the refinery, but Pedro's already planning his next move. This isn't over yet."
Susan squeezed his hand, her resolve matching his. "Then we'll keep fighting. Whatever it takes."
Sanchez nodded, his determination unshaken. Pedro and his mysterious ally might have launched their attack, but Sanchez wasn't just defending his family and business—he was preparing to take the fight to them. The game was far from over, and Sanchez was ready for whatever came next.