Eric sat on the hospital bed, his back against the wall, bare feet resting on the mattress.
His body showed no signs of weakness anymore.
The tests were normal.
The monitors had been reduced.
His breathing was steady.
Physically—
He had recovered.
But his mind was still inside the warehouse.
He replayed the dull impacts.
The cracking of bones.
The echo of gunfire bouncing off metal shelves.
The most disturbing part wasn't the violence.
It was the ease.
The precision.
The complete absence of hesitation.
His fingers slowly clenched the sheets.
He wasn't shaking.
And that scared him more than any injury.
"Eric."
Lucía's voice pulled him back.
He blinked, refocusing.
She stood beside the bed—upright, analytical.
"You were staring into nothing again."
He exhaled.
"Call Elena."
Lucía hesitated briefly—
Then stepped out.
Moments later, Elena entered.
Behind her came Eric's parents—
Still relieved to see him awake and apparently fine.
His father looked slightly confused at the sight of his son surrounded by two young women so deeply involved in his life.
His mother, on the other hand, remained quietly observant.
Protective.
"Can we talk for a moment?" Eric asked, addressing the two women.
His father frowned.
But his mother gently touched his arm.
"Let's wait outside."
The door closed.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Eric straightened.
"Elena, you'll officially handle the receiving of all negotiated coins. Everything goes through you before any movement."
She nodded—
Though a trace of unease still lingered.
"And after that?"
"You coordinate with Lucía. Nothing goes directly to my residence."
He turned to the lawyer.
"I want the coins sent to a legalized warehouse. Clean documentation. No improvisation."
Lucía crossed her arms.
"Before we go any further—I need to understand what exactly is happening."
Eric looked at her for a few seconds.
Then quietly slipped his hand beneath the pillow.
Elena noticed.
Lucía did too.
But neither saw the moment he accessed the Dimensional Vault.
When his hand returned—
Ten gold coins rested between his fingers.
He placed them on the bed.
The golden glow filled the room—
Heavy.
Symbolic.
"This is for anything related to my parents," he said. "Expenses. Emergencies. Comfort."
Lucía didn't touch the coins.
"Last time I ask," she said firmly. "Is this gold legitimate?"
"Yes."
He held her gaze.
"But like someone who wins the lottery… I attract attention. Good attention… and bad."
She studied him carefully.
"You're going to need a larger legal team."
"I know."
"Specialists. Different areas."
"You'll build that team."
She blinked.
"Me?"
"You. I only trust you with the legal side."
The weight settled on her shoulders.
Real.
And despite everything—
There was recognition in it.
She nodded slowly.
"Alright."
Eric inhaled.
"Now comes the important part."
Elena watched him closely.
"You two will stay at a hotel with my parents… temporarily."
Lucía opened her mouth—
But he raised his hand.
"Temporarily. Until we secure the right location."
"What location?" Elena asked.
Eric looked at both of them.
"A penthouse in the city center."
Silence.
"The center?" Lucía repeated.
"Private floor. Exclusive biometric elevator access. 24-hour security. Independent camera system. No direct neighbors on the same level."
He spoke like someone who had already mapped everything out.
"Why the center?" Elena asked.
He didn't answer immediately.
But he knew.
In the center—
Among thousands—
He would be just another face.
Harder to isolate.
Easier to disappear.
And closer to everything that mattered.
Money.
Information.
Power.
"Because it's the hardest place to isolate someone," he said finally. "And the easiest place to disappear."
Lucía absorbed every word.
"And you want me to find this?"
"Yes. Pay whatever it takes. Above market if necessary."
"That's extremely specific."
"That's why I'm asking you."
She sighed.
"So until then—we stay in the hotel with your parents?"
"Yes."
"And after?"
"You move into the penthouse."
Elena crossed her arms.
"And you?"
Eric gave a faint smile.
"I'm still deciding."
He didn't say he wanted multiple safe points.
Didn't say he needed redundancy.
Didn't say the penthouse was just step one.
Lucía still looked resistant.
"I have my own apartment."
Eric stood up.
Walked toward her.
Gently but firmly held her arm.
"I was afraid of losing Elena."
His voice was low.
Intense.
"I wouldn't be able to handle losing you too… knowing I could have prevented it."
There was no manipulation in his gaze.
Only truth.
Elena looked away.
Lucía felt the weight of those words—
Not as romance.
But as shared responsibility.
She exhaled.
"A few days at the hotel," she said. "Until I secure the penthouse."
He released her arm.
"A few days."
They moved toward the door.
Just before leaving—
Eric spoke again.
"Lucía."
She turned.
"I need another property."
She closed her eyes briefly.
"Another house?"
He shook his head.
"No."
A pause.
"An island."
The air froze.
Elena's mouth opened slightly.
Lucía stood completely still.
"You want… an island?"
"Yes."
"Have you lost your mind?"
"No. I want territory. Real isolation. Total control."
His tone was cold.
Strategic.
The door opened.
Eric's parents walked in—
Smiling, unaware.
"What did you tell them to make those faces?" his father joked.
His mother studied the two women.
"They look like they've seen a ghost."
Elena slowly closed her mouth.
Lucía restored her professional composure.
Eric turned to his parents and smiled.
"Nothing serious. Just planning."
But deep down—
He knew.
He was no longer just accumulating wealth.
He was building territory.
And territory—
Sooner or later—
Always attracts war.