Hashtag #Betrayal – a new novel by H A Bustos and Second Ridge Publishing
When influence meets crime, betrayal is only a post away.
In the shimmering, filter-perfected world of "InstaGlam," Veronica Rios, a vibrant and ambitious young influencer, seemingly had it all: fame, followers, and a life of dazzling luxury. From humble beginnings, her online charisma propelled her into a jet-set lifestyle of sponsored trips and designer brands, a dream realized through perfectly curated posts and an ever-growing fanbase in the radiant coastal town of Costa Lúmina.
But behind the flawless façade lay a dangerous secret. The lavish lifestyle Veronica showcased was bankrolled by a shadowy connection to "El Circulo de Sangre," a criminal empire that thrived in the darkness beneath the sun-kissed beauty of Costa Lúmina. Entangled with Chico "El Tigre" Ramirez, a charismatic but ruthless leader within the syndicate, Veronica finds herself trapped in a web of illicit deals and veiled threats, her online persona a carefully constructed mask for a perilous reality.
Chico watched Veronica Rios laugh, her image shimmering on the screen of her phone as she bantered with her followers. "Veronica," he mused to himself, the name a twisted irony in his mind. "True image. If only they knew the real image I see." He smiled, a predatory glint in his eyes. His hidden gem, soon to be tarnished.
Drawn deeper into their world, Veronica becomes a key player, unknowingly bridging the gap between the syndicate's dark operations and legitimate society. But as she begins to grasp the true extent of her involvement and the moral compromises she’s made, a desperate desire for freedom ignites within her. In a world where every post is scrutinized and loyalty is bought with blood, Veronica’s attempt to break free from the syndicate’s iron grip sets in motion a deadly chain of events.
When her defiance is broadcast live to her millions of followers in a shocking act of violence on a seemingly ordinary afternoon in Costa Lúmina, the carefully constructed world of hashtags and likes shatters, revealing the brutal truth beneath.
Based on a true story, "Hashtag #Betrayal" plunges into the intoxicating allure of online fame and the treacherous underbelly of organized crime in the captivating setting of Costa Lúmina, exploring the devastating consequences when the pursuit of likes collides with a world where loyalty is the ultimate currency and betrayal is paid for in blood. Can justice be found in a world where the lines between the virtual and the real have become fatally blurred?
Coming Spring 2026 from Second Ridge Publishing
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