Chapter 2 – The Truth Walks Through the Door
Chapter 2 – The Truth Walks Through the Door
Silence swallowed the mansion.
Not even the crystal chandelier seemed to move anymore.
Santiago stared at the man standing in the doorway.
Ricardo Salazar.
His face had appeared on magazine covers, financial news broadcasts, and the opening ceremonies of hospitals and universities across Mexico. Every major bank knew his name. Every executive feared disappointing him.
Santiago's confidence disappeared in an instant.
"Mr... Mr. Salazar?" he whispered.
Ricardo didn't answer.
His eyes moved directly to his daughter.
Valeria was still kneeling on the marble floor, one hand protecting her swollen belly.
For a brief moment, the powerful businessman wasn't the founder of an empire.
He was simply a father looking at his injured child.
He crossed the room without haste.
Without saying a word, he removed his overcoat and gently draped it over Valeria's shoulders before helping her stand.
"I'm sorry I arrived this late," he said quietly.
Valeria finally allowed herself to cry.
"You came, Dad."
"I always would."
Behind Ricardo, one of the attorneys placed a leather briefcase on the marble table.
Another connected a tablet to the large television mounted above the fireplace.
The screen came alive.
Every second of Santiago's abuse appeared in perfect clarity.
His threats.
His insults.
His raised hand.
Beatriz's calm encouragement.
The hidden clock camera had recorded everything.
Santiago's face drained of color.
"This... this was recorded illegally."
One attorney calmly replied,
"It was recorded inside Mrs. Valeria Salazar's legal residence."
The second attorney placed another folder beside it.
"We also recovered forged psychiatric reports, fabricated custody petitions, falsified medical evaluations, and insurance documents prepared before the child was even born."
Beatriz's wine glass slipped from her fingers.
It shattered across the marble floor.
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For the first time in years...
She looked afraid.
