Chapter 12 — The Trial of the Ibarras
The trial began eight months later.
By then, the Ibarra empire had been dismantled into evidence.
Prosecutors charged Evangelina with attempted murder, conspiracy, fraud, money laundering, identity theft, obstruction, and involvement in Rafael’s death.
Alonso faced many of the same charges.
His cooperation reduced some potential penalties, but not enough to save him from prison.
Víctor Salgado confessed to cutting Renata’s brake line and helping stage Rafael’s crash.
Mauricio admitted stealing company funds and withholding evidence. He received a reduced sentence after cooperating.
Octavio was charged with financial negligence, false reporting, and authorizing concealed entities. Prosecutors did not accuse him of knowing about the attempted killings, but his reputation was destroyed.
Every television network covered the proceedings.
The most replayed video remained the restaurant dinner.
The plate.
The laughter.
The red envelope.
But inside the courtroom, the case became much larger than a family humiliation.
Former employees testified about fake contracts.
Public officials described bribes.
Bankers produced transfer records.
Doctors confirmed that Renata’s medical information had been obtained without consent.
The mechanic who examined the SUV explained how the damaged brake line had been designed to fail after she left the restaurant.
Then Mauricio’s video was played.
The jury watched Evangelina threaten Rafael.
They listened to Alonso’s voice.
They heard Rafael say, “If anything happens to me, look at Santa Amalia.”
Octavio sat behind the defense table with his head bowed.
Rafael’s widow and daughters sat in the front row.
Renata testified for two days.
Evangelina’s attorney tried to portray her as ambitious.
“Isn’t it true,” he asked, “that you resented the Ibarra family’s wealth?”
“I resented being used to hide it.”
“You collected documents secretly.”
“They contained my forged signature.”
“You remained married to Alonso despite your suspicions.”
“I was gathering enough evidence to survive the accusation they were preparing against me.”
“Or perhaps you planned to take control of family assets.”
Renata looked toward the jury.
“The only family asset I ever wanted was my own name.”
The courtroom became silent.
When Alonso testified, he confessed to helping move money and conceal Rafael’s death.
He claimed Evangelina controlled him through fear.
The prosecutor asked a simple question.
“When your wife was knocked to the restaurant floor, why did you laugh?”
Alonso’s eyes moved toward Renata.
“I wanted my mother to believe I was loyal.”
“So you humiliated your wife to protect yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Did your mother order you to laugh?”
“No.”
“Did she order you to forge Renata’s signature the first time?”
“No.”
“Did she order you to continue for nine months?”
Alonso lowered his head.
“No.”
“Then at what point do your choices become yours?”
Alonso did not answer.
Evangelina testified last.
She denied everything.
The recordings were manipulated.
The signatures were misunderstood.
Víctor was lying.
Alonso was weak.
Mauricio was addicted.
Renata was vindictive.
Rafael was unstable.
Every person who challenged her became defective in some way.
The prosecutor approached slowly.
“Is there anyone responsible for these crimes besides you?”
Evangelina lifted her chin.
“I built that family.”
“That was not my question.”
“I protected them.”
“By attempting to kill your daughter-in-law?”
“She would have destroyed us.”
The courtroom froze.
Evangelina realized too late what she had said.
The prosecutor did not raise his voice.
“So you believed Renata had to be stopped.”
Evangelina stared at him.
Her attorney stood.
“Objection.”
But the words were already in the room.
The jury deliberated for three days.
Renata waited with Lucía and Rafael’s daughters.
When the verdicts were announced, Evangelina remained perfectly still.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Guilty.
Count after count.
Alonso closed his eyes.
Víctor bowed his head.
Octavio wept silently.
Renata felt no triumph.
Only release.
Justice did not return the years.
It did not return Rafael.
It did not erase the sound of Alonso’s laughter.
But it placed the truth where Evangelina could no longer rewrite it.
On the record.
May you like
In public.
Under oath.
