Chapter 9: The Mother Who Sold the Truth
I didn't speak for several seconds.
Alejandro's confession had changed the entire investigation Mother Who Sold the Truth
I didn't speak for several seconds.
Alejandro's confession had changed the entire investigation.
Beatriz hadn't simply witnessed a disputed transfer.
She had allegedly been paid to certify.
Beatriz hadn't simply witnessed a disputed transfer.
She had allegedly been paid to certify a lie.
“Where is the letter?”” I asked.
“In my office.””
“Don't touch anything a lie.
“Where is the letter?”” I asked.
“In my office.””
“Don't touch anything else.””
“Isabel, you need to understand—”
“I understand that your mother may else.””
“Isabel, you need to understand—”
“I understand that your mother may have helped steal my inheritance.””
He exhaled.
“I know.””
“Does she know you found the letter?””
have helped steal my inheritance.””
He exhaled.
“I know.””
“Does she know you found the letter?””
“I haven't told her.””
“Good. Keep it that way.””
I ended the call.
My father was watching me.
“What“I haven't told her.””
“Good. Keep it that way.””
I ended the call.
My father was watching me.
“What did he say?””
I explained.
My father closed his eyes.
“Beatriz.””
did he say?””
I explained.
My father closed his eyes.
“Beatriz.””
“Did you know?””
“No.””
I studied his expression.
He looked genuinely devastated.
“She“Did you know?””
“No.””
I studied his expression.
He looked genuinely devastated.
“She was present at your mother's funeral,” he said quietly.
“She held your hand. She was present at your mother's funeral,” he said quietly.
“She held your hand. She told me how sorry she was.””
I looked at the documents.
“Maybe she was sorry.””
My father looked up told me how sorry she was.””
I looked at the documents.
“Maybe she was sorry.””
My father looked up.
“Isabel?””
“Maybe she was sorry because she knew what she had done.””
At six.
“Isabel?””
“Maybe she was sorry because she knew what she had done.””
At six that evening, Beatriz arrived at Grupo Vanguardia.
She didn't make an appointment.
She walked straight into reception that evening, Beatriz arrived at Grupo Vanguardia.
She didn't make an appointment.
She walked straight into reception and demanded to see my father.
The receptionist called security.
But my father agreed and demanded to see my father.
The receptionist called security.
But my father agreed to receive her.
I was in his office when she entered.
She wore a dark green coat, a pearl necklace, and an to receive her.
I was in his office when she entered.
She wore a dark green coat, a pearl necklace, and an expression of injured dignity.
“Arturo.””
My father stood.
“Beatriz.””
She looked expression of injured dignity.
“Arturo.””
My father stood.
“Beatriz.””
She looked at me.
“Isabel. I didn't expect you to be here.””
I almost smiled.
“You filed at me.
“Isabel. I didn't expect you to be here.””
I almost smiled.
“You filed a claim against my inheritance. I thought I'd attend.””
Her cheeks reddened.
“This is a claim against my inheritance. I thought I'd attend.””
Her cheeks reddened.
“This is a legal misunderstanding.””
I picked up the notarized declaration.
“Then perhaps you can explain your signature.””
She glanced a legal misunderstanding.””
I picked up the notarized declaration.
“Then perhaps you can explain your signature.””
She glanced at the document.
For the first time, her composure faltered.
“I don't know what at the document.
For the first time, her composure faltered.
“I don't know what that is.””
“Your name is on it.””
“I witnessed many documents over the years.””
“Did you witness my mother's transfer?””
She looked at my that is.””
“Your name is on it.””
“I witnessed many documents over the years.””
“Did you witness my mother's transfer?””
She looked at my father.
“Arturo, I don't think this conversation is appropriate.””
My father pointed to the chair.
“Sit down.””
She father.
“Arturo, I don't think this conversation is appropriate.””
My father pointed to the chair.
“Sit down.””
She remained standing.
“I came to discuss the petition.””
“Then discuss it.””
Beatriz remained standing.
“I came to discuss the petition.””
“Then discuss it.””
Beatriz opened her handbag and removed a folder.
“My legal team believes the original transfer was never completed correctly opened her handbag and removed a folder.
“My legal team believes the original transfer was never completed correctly. The property should therefore remain subject to the original partnership agreement.””
I looked at her.
“Your legal team believes. The property should therefore remain subject to the original partnership agreement.””
I looked at her.
“Your legal team believes that?””
“Yes.””
“Or Victor told you to say it?””
Her eyes flashed.
“Don't accuse me of things you don't that?””
“Yes.””
“Or Victor told you to say it?””
Her eyes flashed.
“Don't accuse me of things you don't understand.””
I placed the letter from the archive on the desk.
“Is this your understand.””
I placed the letter from the archive on the desk.
“Is this your handwriting?””
She looked at it.
Then she looked away.
My father stepped closer handwriting?””
She looked at it.
Then she looked away.
My father stepped closer.
“Beatriz, answer the question.””
She swallowed.
“Yes.””
I opened the letter.
It was dated two days.
“Beatriz, answer the question.””
She swallowed.
“Yes.””
I opened the letter.
It was dated two days after my mother's alleged transfer.
Beatriz had written to Victor:
*The witness declaration has after my mother's alleged transfer.
Beatriz had written to Victor:
*The witness declaration has been completed. Eduardo's son must not see the original. I expect the agreed payment to been completed.
Eduardo's son must not see the original. I expect the agreed payment to be transferred before the end of the month.*
I read it aloud.
The room became silent.
Beatriz's face turned be transferred before the end of the month.*
I read it aloud.
The room became silent.
Beatriz's face turned white.
I placed the letter down.
“How much were you paid?””
She looked at me.
“That's a white.
I placed the letter down.
“How much were you paid?””
She looked at me.
“That's a private matter.””
“Not anymore.””
Her voice became sharp.
“Your mother was going to destroy two families with private matter.””
“Not anymore.””
Her voice became sharp.
“Your mother was going to destroy two families with her stubbornness.””
I stared at her.
“My mother was protecting her property.””
“She was preventing a her stubbornness.””
I stared at her.
“My mother was protecting her property.””
“She was preventing a business partnership from moving forward.””
“By refusing to surrender something that belonged to her?””
Be business partnership from moving forward.””
“By refusing to surrender something that belonged to her?””
Beatriz shook her head.
“Your mother didn't understand the financial pressure we were under.””
I feltatriz shook her head.
“Your mother didn't understand the financial pressure we were under.””
I felt anger rise in my chest.
“You were paid to lie about her signature.””
“I did what I had to do.””
My father stepped forward.
“You anger rise in my chest.
“You were paid to lie about her signature.””
“I did what I had to do.””
My father stepped forward.
“You helped Victor forge a document belonging to my wife?””
Beatriz looked at helped Victor forge a document belonging to my wife?””
Beatriz looked at him.
“Victor promised to protect the De la Vega family.””
“And him.
“Victor promised to protect the De la Vega family.””
“And what did you promise him?””
She hesitated.
Then she answered.
“He promised to help Eduardo keep what did you promise him?””
She hesitated.
Then she answered.
“He promised to help Eduardo keep the company alive.””
I frowned.
“Your husband?””
Beatriz nodded.
“Eduardo was drowning in the company alive.””
I frowned.
“Your husband?””
Beatriz nodded.
“Eduardo was drowning in debt. The waterfront project was his last chance. Victor offered a debt.
The waterfront project was his last chance. Victor offered a solution.””
“By stealing my mother's land?””
“He said the transfer would be temporary.””
I laughed solution.””
“By stealing my mother's land?””
“He said the transfer would be temporary.””
I laughed in disbelief.
“Temporary?””
She looked at me.
“Your mother was already ill. Victor said in disbelief.
“Temporary?””
She looked at me.
“Your mother was already ill. Victor said the matter would be resolved before anyone noticed.””
My father closed his eyes.
For a moment, I thought he might lose the matter would be resolved before anyone noticed.””
My father closed his eyes.
For a moment, I thought he might lose his temper.
But when he spoke, his voice was almost painfully calm.
“You stood beside his temper.
But when he spoke, his voice was almost painfully calm.
“You stood beside Elena when she was dying. You knew what she was going through. And you still helped your brother steal from her.””
Beatriz's Elena when she was dying. You knew what she was going through. And you still helped your brother steal from her.””
Beatriz's lips trembled.
“I had a family to protect.””
I looked directly at her.
“So lips trembled.
“I had a family to protect.””
I looked directly at her.
“So did my mother.””
She turned toward me.
“You don't understand what it was like. Eduardo was desperate. did my mother.””
She turned toward me.
“You don't understand what it was like. Eduardo was desperate. Alejandro was still a boy.
We had creditors calling every day Alejandro was still a boy. We had creditors calling every day.””
“And my mother had cancer.””
Beatriz fell silent.
I continued.
“She was.””
“And my mother had cancer.””
Beatriz fell silent.
I continued.
“She was trying to protect her daughter while you were protecting your bank account.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
For trying to protect her daughter while you were protecting your bank account.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
For a second, I saw the woman who had once attended my wedding and welcomed me into her home a second, I saw the woman who had once attended my wedding and welcomed me into her home.
Then she spoke.
“You think you're better than us because you.
Then she spoke.
“You think you're better than us because you have money?””
I shook my head.
“No. I think I'm better off without people have money?””
I shook my head.
“No. I think I'm better off without people who believe money excuses betrayal.””
She grabbed her handbag.
“This isn't over.””
My father opened who believe money excuses betrayal.””
She grabbed her handbag.
“This isn't over.””
My father opened the door.
“No. It isn't. Our lawyers will contact you.””
She walked out without another the door.
“No. It isn't. Our lawyers will contact you.””
She walked out without another word.
But I noticed something.
She hadn't denied the letter.
At 8:10 p.m., Alejandro word.
But I noticed something.
She hadn't denied the letter.
At 8:10 p.m., Alejandro called again.
This time, he asked to meet me.
I agreed to a meeting called again.
This time, he asked to meet me.
I agreed to a meeting at a neutral location, accompanied by Margaret.
He arrived carrying the at a neutral location, accompanied by Margaret.
He arrived carrying the original letter from his father's office.
He looked older than he had that morning.
His eyes were blood original letter from his father's office.
He looked older than he had that morning.
His eyes were bloodshot.
His tie was missing.
He placed the letter on the table.
“It's allshot.
His tie was missing.
He placed the letter on the table.
“It's all here.””
Margaret examined it.
The letter was addressed to Eduardo De la Vega.
It had been written by Victor.
here.””
Margaret examined it.
The letter was addressed to Eduardo De la Vega.
It had been written by Victor.
Eduardo,
The witness arrangement has been completed. Beatriz understands the consequences of the declaration andEduardo,*
The witness arrangement has been completed. Beatriz understands the consequences of the declaration and has accepted the compensation.
Elena's claim will be difficult to challenge once has accepted the compensation.
Elena's claim will be difficult to challenge once the registry accepts the amendment.
Your son must not be told about the original trust the registry accepts the amendment.
Your son must not be told about the original trust. He should believe the land belongs to the company.
Once the financing is secured, everything will. He should believe the land belongs to the company.
Once the financing is secured, everything will be resolved.
Victor.
Alejandro stared at the letter.
“I never knew.””
I looked at be resolved.*
Victor.
Alejandro stared at the letter.
“I never knew.””
I looked at him.
“Did your father?””
“I think so.””
“Why?””
“Because he wrote something on the back.””
him.
“Did your father?””
“I think so.””
“Why?””
“Because he wrote something on the back.””
Margaret turned the paper over.
There was a handwritten note.
*I will not let Victor take what belongs to ElenaMargaret turned the paper over.
There was a handwritten note.
I will not let Victor take what belongs to Elena. If anything happens to me, my son must find the original trust.
Alejandro covered his face.
“My. If anything happens to me, my son must find the original trust.*
Alejandro covered his face.
“My father knew.””
I looked at him.
“Then why didn't he tell you?””
“He was afraid father knew.””
I looked at him.
“Then why didn't he tell you?””
“He was afraid.””
“Of Victor?””
He nodded.
“He told me once that the company had been built on a.””
“Of Victor?””
He nodded.
“He told me once that the company had been built on a secret. I thought he was talking about debt.””
I leaned back.
“Did your father die before or after this letter?””
“ secret. I thought he was talking about debt.””
I leaned back.
“Did your father die before or after this letter?””
“Six weeks later.””
Margaret stopped writing.
“Was his death investigated?””
Alejandro looked at her.
“No. ItSix weeks later.””
Margaret stopped writing.
“Was his death investigated?””
Alejandro looked at her.
“No. It was a heart attack.””
I felt a strange chill.
“Did Victor have access to his medical records?””
Ale was a heart attack.””
I felt a strange chill.
“Did Victor have access to his medical records?””
Alejandro nodded slowly.
“He arranged the funeral. He handled the company transition.””
I looked atjandro nodded slowly.
“He arranged the funeral. He handled the company transition.””
I looked at Margaret.
“Find out everything we can about Eduardo De la Vega's death.””
She nodded.
Ale Margaret.
“Find out everything we can about Eduardo De la Vega's death.””
She nodded.
Alejandro turned toward me.
“Isabel, I want to help.””
I studied him.
“Why now?””
“Because I finally understand what Victor did.””
“You understoodjandro turned toward me.
“Isabel, I want to help.””
I studied him.
“Why now?””
“Because I finally understand what Victor did.””
“You understood enough when you signed the financing proposal.””
He lowered his eyes.
“I know.””
I placed my hands enough when you signed the financing proposal.””
He lowered his eyes.
“I know.””
I placed my hands on the table.
“Alejandro, I need you to answer one question honestly.””
He looked up.
“Did you know about the original ownership clause before on the table.
“Alejandro, I need you to answer one question honestly.””
He looked up.
“Did you know about the original ownership clause before you met me?””
He hesitated.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.””
I felt the air you met me?””
He hesitated.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.””
I felt the air leave my lungs.
“When?””
“Before our wedding.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“My father told me that leave my lungs.
“When?””
“Before our wedding.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“My father told me that the waterfront property belonged partly to your mother's family. He said the matter was complicated and that Victor was handling it.””
I the waterfront property belonged partly to your mother's family. He said the matter was complicated and that Victor was handling it.””
I stood.
“You knew my family was connected to the land.””
“I knew there was a historical connection stood.
“You knew my family was connected to the land.””
“I knew there was a historical connection.””
“And you never told me?””
“I didn't know you were the beneficiary.””
I laughed.””
“And you never told me?””
“I didn't know you were the beneficiary.””
I laughed bitterly.
“So you married me without knowing who I was, but you knew enough to know that my family might own the bitterly.
“So you married me without knowing who I was, but you knew enough to know that my family might own the property your company wanted.””
He stood too.
“Isabel, I swear I never married property your company wanted.””
He stood too.
“Isabel, I swear I never married you for that.””
I looked at him.
“Then why did you never ask about my mother's family?””
He didn't answer.
I continued you for that.””
I looked at him.
“Then why did you never ask about my mother's family?””
He didn't answer.
I continued.
“Why did you never ask why my father had the same name as the company executives you were trying to meet?””
He looked devastated.
“Why did you never ask why my father had the same name as the company executives you were trying to meet?””
He looked devastated.
“I was wrong.””
“You were comfortable not knowing.””
He reached for my hand.
I stepped.
“I was wrong.””
“You were comfortable not knowing.””
He reached for my hand.
I stepped away.
“Don't.””
He lowered his arm.
“I loved you.””
I looked at him.
“Maybe you loved the woman who made your away.
“Don't.””
He lowered his arm.
“I loved you.””
I looked at him.
“Maybe you loved the woman who made your life easier. But you never loved the woman who needed you to stand beside her when it became difficult.””
He began life easier. But you never loved the woman who needed you to stand beside her when it became difficult.””
He began crying.
Not loudly.
Just enough for me to see the tears gather in his eyes.
For a crying.
Not loudly.
Just enough for me to see the tears gather in his eyes.
For a moment, I remembered the man who had once promised never to let me face moment, I remembered the man who had once promised never to let me face anything alone.
Then I remembered the restaurant.
The bracelet.
The messages.
The four years of lies.
I gathered anything alone.
Then I remembered the restaurant.
The bracelet.
The messages.
The four years of lies.
I gathered my bag.
“Cooperate with Margaret. Tell her everything.””
“Will you ever forgive me?””
I my bag.
“Cooperate with Margaret. Tell her everything.””
“Will you ever forgive me?””
I stopped at the door.
“I don't know.””
He nodded.
Then he said:
“Victor has stopped at the door.
“I don't know.””
He nodded.
Then he said:
“Victor has something else.””
I turned.
“What?””
“A document showing that your mother transferred the property to him before she something else.””
I turned.
“What?””
“A document showing that your mother transferred the property to him before she died.””
I frowned.
“We have the original trust.””
“I know. But Victor has another document died.””
I frowned.
“We have the original trust.””
“I know. But Victor has another document.””
“What document?””
He looked at me.
“One that claims your mother sold the entire waterfront holding company to him.””
“What document?””
He looked at me.
“One that claims your mother sold the entire waterfront holding company to him for one dollar.””
The following morning, the document arrived at Grupo for one dollar.””
The following morning, the document arrived at Grupo Vanguardia.
It was a photocopy of a private sale agreement.
It carried my mother's name.
A not Vanguardia.
It was a photocopy of a private sale agreement.
It carried my mother's name.
A notary's stamp.
And a signature.
The date was three days before her death.
Margaret examined itary's stamp.
And a signature.
The date was three days before her death.
Margaret examined it with the forensic specialist.
The result came back two hours later.
The signature was copied.
The with the forensic specialist.
The result came back two hours later.
The signature was copied.
The notary's seal was genuine, but the registration number belonged to a different transaction.
Someone had taken a real document and altered its contents.
I stared at the notary's seal was genuine, but the registration number belonged to a different transaction.
Someone had taken a real document and altered its contents.
I stared at the report.
“Can we prove it?””
“Yes,” Margaret replied.
“The notary's original report.
“Can we prove it?””
“Yes,” Margaret replied.
“The notary's original ledger contains no record of this sale.””
My father exhaled.
“Then Victor has no legal claim ledger contains no record of this sale.””
My father exhaled.
“Then Victor has no legal claim.””
Margaret shook her head.
“Not necessarily. He may still attempt to use the document to delay the ownership transfer.””
I looked at the forged.””
Margaret shook her head.
“Not necessarily. He may still attempt to use the document to delay the ownership transfer.””
I looked at the forged agreement.
“Where is he now?””
Marcus entered the room.
“We located agreement.
“Where is he now?””
Marcus entered the room.
“We located him.””
“Where?””
“London.””
“Has he agreed to return?””
Marcus him.””
“Where?””
“London.””
“Has he agreed to return?””
Marcus shook his head.
“No. But there's something else.””
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Victor entering shook his head.
“No. But there's something else.””
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Victor entering a private office building.
Beside him was a woman carrying a black briefcase.
I recognized her.
a private office building.
Beside him was a woman carrying a black briefcase.
I recognized her.
She had attended my mother's funeral.
She had once been my mother's personalShe had attended my mother's funeral.
She had once been my mother's personal attorney.
Her name was Eleanor Whitmore.
I looked at Marcus.
“Why is Eleanor with attorney.
Her name was Eleanor Whitmore.
I looked at Marcus.
“Why is Eleanor with Victor?””
Marcus opened another document.
“She has just submitted a sworn statement supporting the alleged sale agreement.””
My father Victor?””
Marcus opened another document.
“She has just submitted a sworn statement supporting the alleged sale agreement.””
My father stood.
“That's impossible. Eleanor drafted the original trust.””
Margaret looked at the signature stood.
“That's impossible. Eleanor drafted the original trust.””
Margaret looked at the signature on the statement.
“Apparently, she is now claiming the trust was never intended on the statement.
“Apparently, she is now claiming the trust was never intended to give Isabel full ownership.””
I stared at the photograph.
Another person who had known to give Isabel full ownership.””
I stared at the photograph.
Another person who had known my mother.
Another person who had supposedly protected her.
Another person standing beside Victor.
My father reached for the phone.
“Get my mother.
Another person who had supposedly protected her.
Another person standing beside Victor.
My father reached for the phone.
“Get Eleanor on a secure call.””
Before he could dial, my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown Eleanor on a secure call.””
Before he could dial, my phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
If you want to know what really happened to your mother, stop trusting your father.
I stared number.
If you want to know what really happened to your mother, stop trusting your father.
I stared at the screen.
A second message arrived.
*Ask him why Elena was planning to leave him the at the screen.
A second message arrived.
Ask him why Elena was planning to leave him the week she died.
I slowly raised my eyes.
My father was watching me.
“Who week she died.*
I slowly raised my eyes.
My father was watching me.
“Who sent that?””
I couldn't answer.
Because the message had opened a question I had never considered.
What if the sent that?””
I couldn't answer.
Because the message had opened a question I had never considered.
What if the secret wasn't only about the land?
What if my parents had been hiding something from me, too secret wasn't only about the land?
What if my parents had been hiding something from me, too?
That evening, I went to my father's mansion alone.
He was in the study, reviewing the ownership documents.
I placed my phone on his desk.
“Did?
That evening, I went to my father's mansion alone.
He was in the study, reviewing the ownership documents.
I placed my phone on his desk.
“Did you know Mother was planning to leave you?””
He looked up.
His expression changed.
“Where did you hear that?””
I pushed the phone toward him you know Mother was planning to leave you?””
He looked up.
His expression changed.
“Where did you hear that?””
I pushed the phone toward him.
He read the message.
Then he sat down.
“Isabel, your mother and I had difficulties.
He read the message.
Then he sat down.
“Isabel, your mother and I had difficulties during the last months of her life.””
“What kind of difficulties?””
He looked toward the window.
“She believed during the last months of her life.””
“What kind of difficulties?””
He looked toward the window.
“She believed I had trusted Victor too much.””
“Did she want to divorce you?””
He remained I had trusted Victor too much.””
“Did she want to divorce you?””
He remained silent.
I felt my chest tighten.
“Papa?””
He finally answered.
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“Why didn't silent.
I felt my chest tighten.
“Papa?””
He finally answered.
“Yes.””
I stared at him.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because she changed her mind.””
“When?””
“The week before she died.””
I sat you tell me?””
“Because she changed her mind.””
“When?””
“The week before she died.””
I sat down slowly.
“Why?””
My father opened a drawer.
He removed a photograph of my mother and placed it in front of me.
On the back was a handwritten message.
*Arturo, if down slowly.
“Why?””
My father opened a drawer.
He removed a photograph of my mother and placed it in front of me.
On the back was a handwritten message.
Arturo, if you ever discover what happened to the original trust, don't assume the person closest to you is innocent.
I looked at him.
“What you ever discover what happened to the original trust, don't assume the person closest to you is innocent.*
I looked at him.
“What does that mean?””
My father closed his eyes.
“I don't know.””
But I knew he was does that mean?””
My father closed his eyes.
“I don't know.””
But I knew he was hiding something.
Because beneath the photograph was another document.
A hospital visitor record from hiding something.
Because beneath the photograph was another document.
A hospital visitor record from the night my mother died.
Three names appeared on it.
Arturo Mendoza.
Victor Mendoza.
And a the night my mother died.
Three names appeared on it.
Arturo Mendoza.
Victor Mendoza.
And a third name.
*Alejandro De la Vega.*
I looked up.
“Alejandro was there?””
My father's face became completely still.
“Yes.””
I stared at the record.
third name.
*Alejandro De la Vega.*
I looked up.
“Alejandro was there?””
My father's face became completely still.
“Yes.””
I stared at the record.
“He was twenty-two years old.””
May you like
My father nodded.
“And he wasn't supposed to be there.””
