CHAPTER 10 — BRENDA’S FINAL MOVE
The name on the document stared back at Mariana.
Brenda Collins.
For several seconds, she simply looked at it.
Not with anger.
Not with hatred.
With curiosity.
Because after everything that had happened, she believed she understood Brenda’s role.
A woman who wanted wealth.
A woman who wanted status.
A woman who manipulated Andrew because she wanted the life Mariana had.
But this file suggested something deeper.
Something planned.
"Clara."
Her assistant immediately entered.
"Yes?"
"Find everything about Brenda Collins."
Clara nodded.
"Personal history?"
"Everything."
Within hours, the Escalante research team uncovered information that changed the entire story.
Brenda was not just an outsider who entered Andrew’s life.
She had connections.
Her family had once been associated with several investment groups.
But years earlier, they had lost everything.
Debt.
Failed businesses.
Legal disputes.
And then...
Brenda disappeared from financial records.
Until she appeared beside Andrew.
Mariana read through the documents carefully.
"She didn’t choose Andrew randomly."
Clara nodded.
"That’s what it looks like."
"She studied him."
"She studied the company."
"She studied me."
A cold silence filled the room.
Because suddenly, the betrayal felt even more calculated.
Meanwhile, Brenda was facing a completely different reality.
The luxurious lifestyle she once enjoyed was gone.
The designer clothes.
The private events.
The expensive restaurants.
Everything had disappeared.
She moved into a small apartment across the city.
A place she once would have considered beneath her.
Now it was all she had.
But Brenda refused to accept defeat.
She stared at herself in the mirror.
"This isn’t over."
She had lost Andrew.
She had lost the mansion.
She had lost her reputation.
But she still had one thing.
Information.
And she believed information was power.
That evening, she met with an old contact.
A businessman named Victor Hale.
He was someone from her past.
Someone who knew secrets.
"You said you had something valuable."
Brenda placed a folder on the table.
"I do."
Victor opened it.
His expression changed.
"You’re sure?"
"Positive."
Inside were documents showing private financial agreements connected to the Whitmore family.
Victor looked impressed.
"This could cause problems."
Brenda smiled.
"That’s the point."
"What do you want?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I want Mariana Escalante to lose everything."
Victor leaned back.
"That’s impossible."
Brenda laughed.
"Everyone has a weakness."
Across town, Andrew received a warning from Thomas.
"Brenda is planning something."
Andrew looked serious.
"How do you know?"
"Because she contacted people connected to Whitmore Enterprises."
Andrew closed his eyes.
He should have been surprised.
But he wasn’t.
Because now he knew who Brenda really was.
"I need to talk to Mariana."
Thomas looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
Andrew nodded.
"This time, she deserves to know before it happens."
The next morning, Andrew arrived at Escalante Tower.
Mariana listened quietly as he explained.
"Brenda has documents."
"She’s planning to use them against you."
Mariana remained calm.
"What kind of documents?"
"Financial records."
"Old agreements."
"Things she believes can damage your reputation."
Mariana looked thoughtful.
"Do you know what they contain?"
Andrew shook his head.
"No."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Mariana said something unexpected.
"Thank you."
Andrew looked surprised.
"For what?"
"For telling me."
Months ago, those words would have meant everything.
Now, they meant something different.
Respect.
Not reconciliation.
Not forgiveness.
But respect.
Later that day, Mariana’s legal team reviewed every document connected to Brenda.
And then they found something.
A hidden transaction.
One that Brenda never knew existed.
The money trail led back to a company registered overseas.
And the owner of that company...
Was not Brenda.
Mariana looked at the report.
"Who is behind this?"
The lawyer placed another document on the table.
"We’re still investigating."
"But there is one thing."
"What?"
"The company was created shortly before Brenda approached Andrew."
Mariana became silent.
Because this was no longer about a mistress.
No longer about jealousy.
Someone else had been moving pieces behind the scenes.
Someone who wanted the Whitmore empire to collapse.
And now they had a new target.
The Escalante family.
That night, Brenda believed she was preparing her victory.
She believed she had found the one secret powerful enough to destroy Mariana.
But she didn’t know one thing.
Mariana Escalante had spent her entire life surrounded by people who wanted her power.
And she had learned how to recognize enemies long before they revealed themselves.
The next battle was coming.
And this time...
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Mariana would not be defending herself.
She would be uncovering the person who started everything.
