Chapter 2: The Empire Begins to Crack
Carmen awoke expecting congratulations.
Instead, detectives arrived at her mansion before breakfast.
They served search warrants.
Phones.
Computers.
Financial records.
Property contracts.
Everything was seized.
Neighbors watched through their windows as luxury SUVs filled the driveway.
Carmen kept smiling.
"This is ridiculous," she laughed.
"My lawyer will destroy all of you."
An investigator calmly placed another folder on the dining table.
Inside were photographs.
Sofia's injuries.
Medical reports.
Hotel surveillance stills.
Witness statements from hotel employees who had heard screaming but had been ordered by management not to interfere.
For the first time, Carmen's smile disappeared.
Meanwhile, Javier tried calling Sofia.
Fifty-three times.
Every call went unanswered.
His messages became increasingly desperate.
"Mom went too far."
"I didn't know she'd actually hit you."
"Please... let's fix this."
Sofia stared at the messages before quietly deleting every one.
She no longer recognized the man she had married.
By afternoon, another surprise surfaced.
Alexander's forensic accountants uncovered dozens of lawsuits against Carmen dating back nearly fifteen years.
Each case involved newly married women.
Small inheritances.
Family businesses.
Properties mysteriously transferred into her family's control.
Most victims had eventually withdrawn their complaints.
Out of fear.
Until now.
Alexander looked at the stack of files.
"This wasn't about Sofia."
His investigator nodded.
May you like
"No."
"This was their business model."
