Chapter 7 - Cuffed at the Podium
Diego didn't make it three steps before four uniformed police officers stepped out from the side corridors, blocking his path.
Leading them was Detective Raymond Miller, holding a signed felony arrest warrant.
"Diego Morales," Detective Miller’s voice echoed across the quiet ballroom. "You are under arrest for Grand Larceny, Corporate Embezzlement, and Misprision of Felony Child Abuse."
"No! This is a mistake! My wife forged those documents!" Diego screamed, thrashing against the officers as they grabbed his arms and forced them behind his back. The metal handcuffs clicked shut with a loud, final sound.
"And Teresa Halston," Detective Miller continued, turning toward the back table where my mother-in-law was trying to slip away into the shadows. Two female officers stepped into her path, blocking the exit. "You are under arrest for Felony Child Abuse, Battery on a Minor, and Criminal Conspiracy."
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Teresa shrieked, kicking her legs as the female officers forced her to her knees on the ballroom floor. "Do you know who I am?! My grandson is a Morales! You can't treat me like this!"
Standing near the VIP entrance of the ballroom, dressed in an immaculate emerald silk gown, I stepped into the light. Beside me stood Arthur Harrison and my uncle, the Chairman of Vance-Global.
Teresa’s eyes locked onto mine as she struggled in cuffs. "Verónica! You monster! You ruined my family!"
I walked slowly over to where Teresa was kneeling on the floor, looking down at her with absolute, unyielding indifference.
"You said my daughter was 'just a girl,' Teresa," I whispered softly, leaning down so only she could hear me. "You said she didn't matter because she wouldn't carry on your name. But tonight, that 'little girl' just brought down your entire empire."
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I turned my head to look at Diego, who was weeping openly as the officers dragged him past the table of his former corporate peers.
"You told me to apologize to your mother, Diego," I said, my voice cutting through his sobs like a diamond blade. "Consider this my final response."
