Chapter 2 — The Man Everyone Feared
The silence inside the mansion became suffocating.
No one moved.
No one even seemed willing to breathe.
Santiago stared at the man standing in the doorway, his confident smile slowly disappearing.
Ricardo Salazar.
The name alone carried enough weight to shake boardrooms across Latin America.
For years Santiago had dreamed of winning contracts from Grupo Salazar.
He had never once imagined the company's founder would walk into his own house.
"...Mr. Salazar?" Santiago finally managed.
Ricardo didn't answer.
His eyes never left Valeria.
The moment he saw the bruise forming along his daughter's cheek, something inside him broke.
He crossed the marble floor without hurry.
Without asking permission.
Without acknowledging anyone else in the room.
"My little girl."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Valeria's composure finally cracked.
"Dad..."
He gently wrapped his coat around her trembling shoulders before kneeling beside her swollen belly.
"And my grandson."
Tears filled his eyes.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner."
Behind him, one of the attorneys quietly placed a thick folder on the marble table.
Another connected a tablet to the television mounted above the fireplace.
Security guards spread through the mansion.
Every exit was sealed.
Beatriz finally found her voice.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
Ricardo slowly stood.
"No."
He looked directly at her.
"The misunderstanding lasted two years."
The television suddenly came alive.
Security footage.
Perfect.
Crystal clear.
Every insult.
Every slap.
Every threat.
Including Santiago raising his hand only minutes earlier.
The hidden camera inside the silver clock had captured everything.
Santiago's face drained of color.
"Turn that off."
Nobody listened.
Then another recording appeared.
Private conversations.
Beatriz discussing psychiatric hospitals.
Forged evaluations.
Plans to steal the baby.
Even Santiago laughing while signing custody papers.
The attorneys remained silent.
They didn't need to say anything.
The evidence spoke for itself.
Ricardo calmly folded his hands.
"Congratulations."
"You've just confessed to multiple felonies."
May you like
The room fell completely silent.
Then police sirens echoed from outside.
