Chapter 2: Every Lie Comes Due
By noon...
The scandal dominated every financial network.
Headlines flashed across giant screens in Times Square.
WHITMORE EMPIRE SECRETLY CONTROLLED BY ESCALANTE HEIRESS.
CEO REMOVED AFTER SHOCK BOARD VOTE.
MARRIAGE FRAUD ALLEGATIONS EMERGE.
Brenda watched the broadcasts from the mansion.
She suddenly realized something.
Every designer handbag.
Every diamond bracelet.
Every luxury vacation...
Had been purchased with company accounts.
Company accounts Mariana now controlled.
Her phone rang.
The jewelry boutique.
"We're calling regarding unpaid invoices."
"I already paid."
"I'm sorry, Ms. Collins."
"The payments were reversed."
Another call.
The luxury dealership.
Then another.
The fashion house.
Within two hours...
Every item obtained through Whitmore corporate privileges had been repossessed.
Brenda stared around the bedroom.
The mansion suddenly looked less like a palace...
And more like a prison.
Margaret refused to believe reality.
She marched into the kitchen screaming.
"Where is everyone?"
No answer.
Half the household staff had resigned.
The remaining employees quietly handed her sealed envelopes.
Letters of resignation.
Every one of them ended with the same sentence.
"We choose to work for people who show respect."
Margaret ripped the papers apart.
"They'll never find work again."
The head butler calmly replied,
"Mrs. Escalante already hired every one of us."
He removed his gloves.
Bowed politely.
And walked out forever.
Meanwhile...
Mariana sat inside her father's office overlooking the city.
Alejandro handed her another file.
"The investigation is complete."
Inside were photographs.
Hidden transfers.
Private messages.
Proof that Brenda and Andrew had secretly diverted charitable donations into luxury purchases.
Mariana sighed.
"I hoped there wouldn't be fraud."
Alejandro placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You gave them every chance."
She nodded.
"Then notify federal investigators."
"No special treatment."
That afternoon...
Agents entered Whitmore Holdings carrying official warrants.
Employees watched silently.
Computers were seized.
Financial records collected.
Executives questioned.
Andrew stood helplessly in the lobby.
One investigator approached him.
"Mr. Whitmore..."
"We need to discuss several financial irregularities."
His lawyer whispered,
"Don't answer."
Andrew looked toward Mariana.
She simply walked past him.
Not angry.
Not smiling.
Completely indifferent.
May you like
For Andrew...
That hurt more than hatred ever could.
