Chapter 2 - The Morning the Checks Bounced
The morning sun hit the San Ángel estate like any other day, but the atmosphere inside was about to turn radioactive.
Valeria strutted into the dining room at 7:45 AM, draped in a silk robe, her phone already mounted on a selfie stick. "Good morning, internet family!" she cooed into the camera. "Today we are preparing for Santiago’s big presentation at St. Jude’s. Success starts with mindset!"
Mateo followed, sipping an espresso, completely ignoring his mother who sat quietly at the head of the table, sipping black coffee. Santiago was slumped in his chair, aggressively tapping his tablet, his school uniform tie crooked.
"Hey, old lady," Santiago yelled without looking up. "Where are my crepes? I told you I wanted crepes, not toast!"
Mateo laughed, patting his son's head. "Yeah, Mom, get the boy his crepes. Don't be lazy."
Elena didn't move. She set her coffee cup down with a soft clink that somehow silenced the room. "The kitchen is closed, Santiago. And you won't be needing energy for school today."
Before Mateo could snap back, his phone vibrated violently. At the same second, Valeria’s phone pinged with a high-priority email alert.
Valeria frowned, looking at her screen. "What is this? An urgent notice from St. Jude’s Administration?" She read aloud, her voice losing its fake influencer pitch. "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Vega, we regret to inform you that Master Santiago’s enrollment has been suspended indefinitely due to the immediate cancellation and reversal of the annual tuition wire transfer..."
"What?!" Mateo roared, his face turning an ugly shade of crimson. "That's impossible! The automated wire goes out on the 15th of every month from the trust!"
He frantically opened his banking app, only to be met with a flashing red banner: ACCOUNT FROZEN. CONTACT LEGAL COUNSEL.
"What did you do?" Mateo glared at Elena, his phone shaking in his hand. "Mom, what did you do to the accounts? There’s a glitch! Call the bank manager right now and fix this! I have a payroll to meet for my investment firm today!"
"It's not a glitch, Mateo," Elena said calmly, standing up. She looked taller than she had in years. "Your investment firm is a ghost house built on my stolen money. And as for Santiago..." She looked directly at the wide-eyed eight-year-old. "Private school is a privilege for civilized children. Not for beasts who strike their elders."
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Valeria jumped out of her chair, her phone dropped to the table, still actively recording. "You old witch! You can't do this! Do you know who I am? I am the face of luxury lifestyle in this city! If the media finds out my son was kicked out of school, my sponsorships are ruined!"
"Then I suggest you start deleting your accounts, Valeria," Elena said coldly, walking toward the front door. "Because the show is officially over."
