The Amazon jungle loomed around me, its dense foliage a protective cocoon as I dragged myself onto the muddy riverbank. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from exertion but from the betrayal that still stung like a fresh wound. I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts, as the cacophony of the wild filled the air — the distant calls of exotic birds, the rustle of unseen creatures, and the ever-present hum of insects.

Sitting there, I realized that my survival was not merely an act of physical endurance but a testament to my resolve. I wasn’t going to let them win. I had built my empire from the ground up with tenacity and shrewdness, and I would use those same skills to navigate this new threat from within my own family.

Once I caught my breath, I began the arduous journey back to civilization. Each step through the underbrush was a reminder of my resilience, as well as a chance to plan my next move. I needed to act quickly, to reclaim not just my life but the control over my empire that my son and daughter-in-law had so callously tried to seize.