Chapter 8 - The Dinner of Masks
The police did not take Patricia away immediately.
They first interviewed everyone separately and collected the stolen property, forged records, false passports, and digital files.
Victor requested an attorney despite being an attorney himself.
Grant began cooperating before the first detective finished reading him his rights.
Patricia continued to deny everything.
She claimed Rosa had arranged the recordings. She accused Adrian of blackmail. She insisted Emiliano had created the entire situation to avoid marrying her without paying a financial settlement.
Then a detective opened Victor’s black folder.
Inside were unsigned guardianship documents, revised trust agreements, and a private contract promising Grant a large payment after the wedding.
The final page included Patricia’s signature.
Her confidence finally broke.
The investigation revealed that Patricia had spent nearly two years preparing to enter Emiliano’s life. Their meeting at the charity auction had not been accidental.
She had researched Elena’s death, the girls’ interests, Emiliano’s travel schedule, and Rosa’s role in the household. She had even donated to the auction through a shell company to secure a seat beside him.
Patricia had not fallen in love with a billionaire.
She had selected a target.
Three weeks after her arrest, Emiliano hosted a private dinner in the mansion’s smaller dining room.
Only Lucia, Sofia, Rosa, Adrian, and a few trusted members of staff attended.
There were no photographers.
No business partners.
No people waiting to impress him.
Emiliano stood at the head of the table but did not sit.
“I owe all of you an apology,” he said.
Rosa looked down.
He continued.
“I believed that providing this house, these schools, and this life meant I was protecting my daughters. But protection is not something you purchase. It is something you do.”
Lucia watched him carefully.
“I should have listened the first time Rosa warned me. I should have listened when you became quieter. I saw what was happening, but I accepted easier explanations because I wanted Patricia to be who she pretended to be.”
Sofia’s eyes filled with tears.
“Were you really going to send us away?”
Emiliano walked to her chair and knelt.
“Never.”
“But you almost signed the papers.”
“Yes.”
He did not hide from the truth.
“I almost made a terrible mistake. And I cannot promise I will never make another one. But I promise I will never again make decisions about your lives without listening to you.”
Sofia hugged him.
Lucia remained seated.
“What if you meet someone else?”
The question silenced the room.
Emiliano answered slowly.
“Then she will have to understand that she is joining our family. She will not be replacing your mother, controlling your lives, or separating you from the people you love.”
Lucia looked toward Rosa.
“Especially her?”
“Especially her.”
Rosa’s eyes shone.
Emiliano stood and faced her.
“You protected my daughters while I was protecting my illusions.”
“I did what Elena would have wanted.”
“You did what I should have done.”
He placed an envelope on the table.
It contained no dismissal letter.
It contained a new employment contract naming Rosa director of the Vega Family Household, with full authority over staff decisions and the girls’ daily welfare.
There was also a second document.
Emiliano had added Rosa as a co-guardian in the event of his death or incapacity.
Rosa covered her mouth.
“You trust me with this?”
May you like
“I should have put it in writing years ago.”
---
