- At 11:58 AM, Valeria walked through the front entrance of the Vance estate, holding Alma as the newborn slept soundly in her arms. She wore no military uniform—just tailored black trousers, a crisp white blouse, and her hair pulled back neatly, carrying herself with the understated, quiet authority of a commander stepping into a debriefing room.
- Beatrice sat together with her two daughters, Chloe and Amber. The three of them whispered indignantly amongst themselves, carrying on as if Beatrice had been the true victim of the previous night’s ordeal.
- “Was that ridiculous scene last night really necessary?” Beatrice remarked the moment Valeria walked into the room. “Everyone left the party talking about your terrible attitude.”
- Valeria offered no response, remaining completely silent.
- Ryan lingered near the doorway, his eyes bloodshot from a restless night and his hands fidgeting nervously at his sides.
- At noon sharp, Arthur Vance—the family patriarch and founder of a prominent commercial construction firm—ordered the heavy doors of the drawing room closed. “No one leaves this room until the whole truth is laid out on the table,” Arthur announced firmly.
- Outside, two dark vehicles pulled up along the cobblestone driveway.
- General Tomás Ortega entered the estate, accompanied by a senior family law attorney, a notary public, and an elderly woman with silver hair whom Valeria recognized instantly. It was Ophelia, the estate’s former head housekeeper, whom Beatrice had abruptly terminated three weeks prior.
- The moment Beatrice saw Ophelia, every drop of color drained from her face.
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