Chapter 4 – One Final Attempt
Chapter 4 – One Final Attempt
The night before Teresa and Rodrigo were scheduled to testify, Mariana returned home to collect Nico's school records.
The mansion felt strangely quiet.
Too quiet.
As she opened the nursery closet, someone grabbed her from behind.
A cloth covered her mouth.
She fought desperately until a familiar voice whispered,
"Stop struggling."
Claudia.
"You've ruined everything."
Mariana managed to kick backward, forcing Claudia into a dresser.
The cloth slipped away.
"You tried to kill your own nephew."
"I was protecting our future!" Claudia screamed.
"You were never Father's favorite. Nico would've inherited everything."
Mariana froze.
"What?"
Claudia laughed hysterically.
"You still don't know?"
Before she could explain, police officers burst through the front door.
Daniel had secretly arranged protective surveillance after receiving anonymous threats.
Claudia was arrested before she reached the staircase.
Inside her purse officers discovered forged passports, cash, and airline tickets to Argentina.
During questioning she finally confessed the truth.
Years earlier Rodrigo had secretly changed his will.
Because Mariana's late husband had helped expand the family business, Nico had become the primary heir to a controlling share of Salcedo Holdings.
If Nico died before adulthood...
Everything transferred to Claudia.
The engagement party had never been a celebration.
It had been the perfect opportunity to eliminate both obstacles at once.
Rodrigo and Teresa had agreed.
For the first time Mariana understood why her parents had looked so calm that night.
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This had never been spontaneous.
It had been planned.
