CHAPTER 3: Everything They Built Began to Collapse
The following morning, the Foundation Gala never happened.
Instead, every major business network carried the same breaking story.
Rivas Group Facing Financial and Criminal Investigations.
The livestream from the hidden camera had captured far more than one night of violence.
It documented months of emotional abuse.
Threats against an unborn child.
Conversations about forged psychiatric reports.
Plans to seize custody through fraud.
The recordings had already been turned over to prosecutors.
Inside corporate headquarters, board members demanded Santiago resign immediately.
Banks froze credit lines.
Investors withdrew support.
Several executives resigned before noon.
Meanwhile, Beatriz desperately called every influential friend she had.
No one answered.
Powerful families protect success.
They rarely protect scandal.
That afternoon, Santiago appeared outside my father's office.
His expensive suit was wrinkled.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
He no longer looked like the confident businessman from magazine covers.
"I made mistakes," he said quietly.
"I just want to see my son."
My father remained silent.
Then he stepped aside.
Not to invite Santiago in.
To reveal me standing behind him.
I looked directly at the man I had once loved.
"You didn't lose your family today."
"You lost us every time you chose cruelty over kindness."
Security escorted him away without another word.
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For the first time since our wedding...
I watched him leave without fear.
