Chapter 3 – The Empire Begins to Crack
Chapter 3 – The Empire Begins to Crack
The next morning federal investigators arrived at Salcedo Corporate Headquarters with search warrants.
Rodrigo greeted them wearing one of his expensive tailored suits.
"This is political theater."
The lead investigator simply replied,
"Open your accounting department."
By afternoon investigators had seized computers, financial records, offshore banking documents, and years of confidential contracts.
The video had encouraged former employees to come forward.
One accountant admitted to falsifying tax records.
A former executive described bribery involving city officials.
Three construction managers confessed that safety inspections had been forged.
Rodrigo's empire had survived decades because everyone feared him.
Now everyone feared prison more.
Meanwhile Teresa attempted another strategy.
She held a televised interview.
Tears covered her face.
"I simply wanted to protect my daughter from herself."
Nobody believed her.
An expert confirmed the security footage had not been edited.
Frame by frame analysts showed Teresa intentionally placing both hands against Nico's back before pushing.
Even Claudia's engagement collapsed.
Her fiancé, billionaire investor Alejandro Fuentes, canceled the wedding after watching the footage.
"I can survive losing money," he told reporters.
"I won't build a family with people capable of killing a child."
Within forty-eight hours sponsors withdrew from Salcedo Hotels.
Banks froze major credit lines.
Construction projects stopped.
Employees who had defended Rodrigo for years quietly removed family photographs from their offices.
Mariana watched everything unfold from a temporary apartment provided by Daniel's law firm.
She felt no joy.
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Only relief.
Justice had finally started moving.
