Chapter 15 - The Woman Behind EstherThe woman behind Esther had a name.
Lucía Vélez.
A wealthy financier who had funded the original theft of the Marquez fortune.
She had disappeared after Gabriel's supposed death.
But Alejandro discovered she had been living under a false name for decades.
Why?
Because she had infiltrated the legal system.
Lucía controlled judges.
Medical boards.
Financial institutions.
Private security companies.
Esther had been her visible weapon.
Esteban had been her legal weapon.
And Gabriel had been her greatest threat.
Alejandro stared at the evidence.
“She built all of this.”
His father nodded.
“She wants the Marquez trust.”
“Then why wait twenty-eight years?”
“Because the trust required your first child.”
Alejandro's heart sank.
“So she was waiting for me to marry.”
“Yes.”
“And have a child.”
“Yes.”
“Was Valeria chosen?”
His father looked at her.
“No.”
“Then why did she attack her?”
“Because Valeria discovered the plan.”
That was the secret at the center of everything.
Valeria had not stumbled into the conspiracy.
She had uncovered it.
Three months into her pregnancy, she had found financial records showing payments from Esteban to Lucía.
She had followed the money.
Then she found a coded document naming the unborn child.
That was when the poisoning started.
Alejandro took her hand.
“I should have protected you.”
“You're protecting me now.”
A voice echoed from the hallway.
Lucía.
“You're both too late.”
The doors opened.
She stood there with several armed guards.
She was elegant.
Silver-haired.
Calm.
And completely unafraid.
Alejandro stared.
“You're Lucía Vélez.”
She smiled.
“So you've finally learned my name.”
She held up a tablet.
A live video showed the courtroom.
The judge was already seated.
The hearing had begun early.
Valeria's psychiatric evaluation was being presented.
The court was about to remove her rights.
Lucía smiled.
“By the time you reach the courthouse, Valeria will legally have no control over her child.”
Alejandro moved toward her.
Lucía raised one finger.
“Take another step and someone dies.”
A guard pointed at Isabella.
Alejandro stopped.
Lucía looked at Valeria.
“You were clever.”
Valeria said nothing.
“You found the doctor.”
Silence.
“You found the ledger.”
Silence.
“But you made one mistake.”
“What?”
Lucía smiled.
“You trusted Alejandro.”
Alejandro looked at Valeria.
Valeria's eyes widened.
“What does that mean?”
Lucía held up another document.
A signed confession.
Alejandro's signature.
It stated that he had knowingly participated in the poisoning scheme.
Valeria stared.
“Alejandro?”
He looked horrified.
“I never signed that.”
Lucía smiled.
“Your signature says otherwise.”
The court clerk announced:
“Proceedings are now entering final judgment.”
May you like
Valeria looked at Alejandro.
And for the first time, doubt entered her eyes.
