Chapter 4 - The House of Cards Collapses
Hook: When you realize the lock has been changed, and you don't even own the keys."You can't do this!" Sofía screamed, stepping forward, her face distorted with rage. "You're just a bitter, vindictive bitch! We still have our apartment in Del Valle! We don't need your stupid company!"
Mariana looked at Sofía with genuine pity. "Oh, Sofía. Did you really think I wouldn't look into that 3-million-peso loan?"
Mariana signaled to Don Ernesto, who handed her a leather folder. She pulled out a document and held it up.
"This is the deed to the Del Valle apartment," Mariana said. "The bank that held your mortgage? Banco del Sur. A subsidiary of the Silva Group. When you defaulted on your interest payment yesterday morning, the bank automatically initiated the foreclosure. I personally bought the debt."
Doña Leticia gasped, clutching her chest. "No... no, you couldn't..."
"I could, and I did," Mariana said. "As we speak, movers authorized by the bank are removing all of your belongings from the Del Valle apartment. The locks are being changed tonight."
"Mariana, you are a monster!" Leticia shrieked, tears of rage and terror streaming down her face. "Where are we supposed to go? We have nothing!"
"You have each other," Mariana said calmly. "And you have your debts. I believe you told me to 'rent some tiny room on the edge of the city.' Perhaps you should take your own advice."
"Security," Mariana commanded. "Escort these trespassers off my property. They are ruining the atmosphere of my gala."
Four large, armed security guards immediately stepped forward, grabbing Alejandro, Sofía, and Leticia by their arms.
"Let go of me! Do you know who I am?!" Sofía screamed as she was dragged across the marble floor, her expensive rented shoes slipping and sliding.
"Mariana! Please! Give me one more chance! We are married!" Alejandro yelled, his voice cracking as he was pulled toward the exit. "We can fix this!"
"Our marriage was annulled this morning, Alejandro," Mariana called out, her voice cold and final. "The papers are waiting for you at the police station."
May you like
As the heavy doors of the mansion slammed shut behind the screaming Mendoza family, the guests in the ballroom erupted into polite applause.
Mariana raised her glass to her guests. "Thank you all for your patience. Let the auction begin."
