Chapter 3 - The Frozen Empire—You can't do this! —Lorena shrieked, dropping her designer bag to the floor as the hotel receptionist politely slid a stack of unpaid folio bills across the marble counter.
Total for the weekend so far: 142,000 pesos.
Héctor’s face drained of color, turning a pasty, unhealthy grey. He reached into his blazer for his personal platinum card, slammed it onto the counter, and barked at the clerk.
—Run it. Now.
The young clerk swiped the chip. The terminal beeped once—a harsh, electronic rejection. Declined: Account Restricted by Issuer.
Héctor tried a second card. Declined. A third. Declined.
—There must be a mistake! —Héctor bellowed, leaning over the counter, veins bulging on his temples. —I am Licenciado Héctor Ramírez! I own half the commercial real estate in Zapopan! Call the district director of BBVA right now!
The manager sighed, adjusting his lapel.
—Licenciado, your accounts weren't declined by the bank’s standard fraud algorithm. They were frozen by a court-ordered injunction filed three hours ago by the fiscal prosecutor’s office in Guadalajara, initiated by the primary executor of the Ramírez Trust.
Héctor slowly turned his head. His eyes locked onto Claudia, who was calmly sipping an espresso at a nearby table with Emiliano.
—You... —Héctor choked out, taking a heavy, stumbling step toward her. —You freezing my accounts? You signed away your rights to the trust inheritance ten years ago when you moved out!
—Did I? —Claudia raised an eyebrow, setting her cup down. —Check the fine print, Dad. You had me sign a waiver for a property transfer, but you forgot to include the expiration clause on the primary trusteeship. Grandpa knew exactly what kind of man you were. He made sure the safety valve stayed in my hands.
Lorena burst into ugly, hysterical tears, picking up her Pomeranian as if the dog could shield her from financial ruin.
—Mom! Tell her to fix it! My house payment is due on Tuesday! Alejandro’s project needs three million pesos by the end of the week or the investors pull out! We’ll be ruined!
Teresa rushed to her daughter, glaring at Claudia with absolute venom.
—She is your sister! We are your family! How can you be so cold, so vindictive, just because of a plate of food? It was just a joke about some cold bread!
May you like
Claudia stood up slowly, her presence towering over them despite her smaller stature. The warmth in her eyes was completely gone, replaced by an arctic resolve that silenced every single relative standing in the lobby.
—It was never about the bread. It was about how you treated my son. And more importantly... it’s about every single peso you stole, forged, and manipulated behind my back while I was busy cleaning up your messes. Pack your bags. Your VIP treatment just expired.
