Chapter 18 - BRENDA WITHOUT THE RED DRESS
Brenda looked different in the interview room.
No crimson dress.
No diamonds.
No perfect makeup.
She wore gray clothes provided by detention staff.
Her hair was pulled back.
For the first time, Mariana could see how frightened she was.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
Brenda said.
“Good.”
Mariana sat across from her.
“Because I won’t.”
Brenda nodded.
“I planted the necklace.”
“I know.”
“Andrew told me to create a scandal.”
“I know.”
“Margaret chose the necklace because she knew everyone would believe you took it.”
Mariana’s expression did not change.
Brenda looked down.
“I enjoyed it.”
That admission surprised Mariana.
Brenda continued.
“I enjoyed watching her humiliate you.”
“I wanted your life.”
“I thought if everyone saw you as trash, I could step into your place.”
Mariana leaned back.
“And now?”
Brenda laughed bitterly.
“Now I know there was never a place to step into.”
“Andrew didn’t respect you.”
“He didn’t respect me.”
“He respected whoever made him feel powerful.”
For once, Mariana agreed.
Brenda slid a small storage key across the table.
“There’s another copy of Victor’s files.”
“Where?”
“A locker.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.”
Brenda met her eyes.
“But the files contain a recording Andrew made three nights before the party.”
Mariana’s stomach tightened.
“Recording of what?”
“His plan if you refused to sign.”
Mariana stared at her.
“What plan?”
Brenda swallowed.
“He was going to report the necklace stolen.”
“Then use the accusation to have you removed from the mansion.”
“I know that.”
“No.”
Brenda shook her head.
“That wasn’t the end.”
“He planned to tell the board you were mentally unstable.”
“He had statements prepared.”
“Doctors?”
Mariana asked.
“Not real doctors.”
“Paid consultants.”
Brenda looked ashamed.
“He wanted temporary control of your marital interests while you fought the accusation.”
Mariana felt cold.
Andrew had not merely wanted her signature.
He had prepared a second route if intimidation failed.
The locker contained everything Brenda promised.
Draft statements.
False affidavits.
Emails.
And an audio file.
Andrew’s voice filled the room.
“If she won’t sign, we make her look unstable.”
Victor answered.
“And Rafael?”
Andrew laughed.
“By the time her father realizes what happened, I’ll control enough assets to negotiate.”
Mariana stopped the recording.
The final illusion died.
There had been no misunderstanding to repair.
No marriage left beneath the cruelty.
Only a strategy.
The next morning, Mariana filed for divorce.
Not quietly.
Not vindictively.
Simply finally.
But as her attorney walked toward the courthouse, a reporter shouted a question.
“Mrs. Escalante, is it true Andrew has disappeared?”
Mariana stopped.
“What?”
Andrew had missed his scheduled interview with investigators.
His phone was off.
His apartment was empty.
May you like
And one company aircraft had attempted to request an unauthorized departure before dawn.
Andrew was running.
