Episode 3

On Monday, Mark was at his desk in the newsroom, finishing up his work, when his boss called him into his office. Mark went and knocked on the door and was given permission to enter.

His boss looked at him: "Where have you been these past few days? I haven't seen you here in the newsroom."

Mark looked at him: "I was doing my job, as always. But even in my absence, my column hasn't stopped being published, as you've seen."

The boss relaxed a little in his chair: "And how is your investigation into the Maximiliano family going? I heard the patriarch died, and now his youngest son has taken over, instead of his older half-brother?"

Mark looked at him: "I still don't have enough proof of their crimes, and the patriarch's death is still a big mystery to everyone."

The boss looked at him for a moment: "Do you at least know what the new head of the Maximiliano family looks like?"

Mark looked ahead: "Not yet. It seems he lived abroad for a long time and only returned now, after his father's death."

The boss gave a cynical smile: "It seems that even with the death of that old fox, the Maximiliano family will remain in power. I want you to find out who the new head of the family is."

Mark looked at him for a moment: "Don't worry about it, boss. Now, can I go back to my desk?"

The boss looked at him, smiling: "Of course you can, Mark. It seems your elegance remains intact."

Mark just looked at him and left without responding, closing the door behind him.

The boss looked at the computer: "There's still nothing. I'm counting on it," he said, and made a call.

Mark was at his desk, finishing up his work, when he received a call from an unknown number. He answered anyway, asking who it was.

On the other side of the line, he heard laughter: "Are you going to keep laughing, or will you answer me?"

Lorenzo stopped laughing: "Don't you remember my voice? It's me, the person who saved you the other night. Have you forgotten already?"

Mark turned serious: "How did you get my number?"

Lorenzo smiled: "I can always find out what I want, journalist Mark."

Mark took the phone away from his ear to check the number again, then put it back: "Why are you calling me at this hour?"

Lorenzo looked at his watch and smiled: "I want to invite you to lunch with me."

Mark was a little surprised: "Are you out of your mind? How can you invite me to lunch when we don't even know each other?"

Lorenzo turned serious: "I'll pick you up in half an hour for lunch," he said, and hung up the phone.

Mark stared at the phone in his hand: "This guy is crazy," he muttered, putting the phone in his pocket. He finally finished his work and went to get some water. He thought about what his boss had said and shook his head.

Leaving the building, Mark was walking when a black Ferrari cut him off. Just as he was about to say something, he saw the window roll down and came face to face with Lorenzo: "What the hell are you doing, you lunatic? You think that just because you saved me yesterday, you can follow me around?"

Lorenzo opened the car door, looking at him from inside: "Get in the car, or am I going to have to drag you in?"

Mark glared at him: "You must have some serious emotional problems," he said, getting into the car.

Lorenzo glanced at him sideways and smiled, then drove off to a fancy restaurant. They were immediately greeted by the manager, who brought them menus and a bottle of champagne.

Mark looked at the manager and thanked him for the menu. When he opened it, his jaw dropped at the prices: "My salary wouldn't even get me close to this place. Look at these prices!"

Lorenzo looked at him, smiling: "Order whatever you want. You're my special guest today."

Mark smiled: "Well, in that case, I won't say no." He chose one of the dishes from the menu and handed it to the manager.

Lorenzo did the same, then poured himself and Mark some champagne.

Mark looked at the glass: "Thank you, but I don't drink. I'll stick with this glass of water."

Lorenzo looked at him, sipping his champagne: "So, what does your job as a reporter entail, for you to have been at that place last night?"

Mark looked at him: "I needed some good photos for publication, and I received an anonymous tip that the new leader of the Maximiliano family would be there, conducting business. But it seems it was just a prank call. What I don't understand is what you were doing there?"

Lorenzo looked at him for a moment: "Let's just say I was doing the same as you. The only difference is that I know what I'm doing, and you don't."

Mark stared at him: "How dare you say I don't know what I'm doing, you idiot? I'm an excellent investigative reporter. I've uncovered things even the police haven't been able to."

Lorenzo just looked at him, his expression unreadable: "And what great things have you uncovered?"

Mark then proceeded to tell him about all his previous work, a satisfied smile on his face, as Lorenzo observed him.

Lorenzo then asked: "Those are all past cases. Don't you have any big cases you're working on at the moment?"

Mark stopped eating and looked at him: "Actually, no, not at the moment. I've been a bit slow lately. And what about you? What do you do?"

Lorenzo coughed, surprised by the unexpected question: "I'm a businessman."

Mark looked at him: "A businessman? In what industry?"

Lorenzo looked at him seriously: "I think you're getting a little too curious, reporter Mark. Let's end this conversation here."

Mark stared at him: "Are you hiding something, Mr. Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo glared at him: "Don't push your luck, Mr. Mark." They finished their lunch and went for a walk together, chatting about random things and enjoying each other's company.

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