The judge looked again at the identification, then at the file that the secretary had brought to her with visibly tense hands.
The surname landed in the room like a stone in still water.
Alejandro frowned.
Rebeca blinked once.
Mariana stopped smiling.
I didn’t say anything.
The judge cleared her throat and completely changed her tone.
—Ms. de la Torre, we were unaware that you were coming in person. Your legal representative had informed us that the asset matter related to the company Grupo Villaseñor de Infraestructura would be kept separate from this proceeding.
Rebecca turned her head towards me with an almost mechanical slowness.
—What… what did he say?
For the first time in three years, I saw her broken down.
Not indignant.
Not haughty.
Not superior.
Scared.
Alejandro let out a brief, nervous laugh.
—Excuse me, there must be some confusion. Valeria doesn’t work for any company. She… she did volunteer work, organized charity events, things like that.
The judge looked at him for barely two seconds, like someone who already knows who deserves attention and who doesn’t.
—Mr. Salazar, I suggest you don’t interrupt.
Then he turned back to me.
—Your lawyer is on his way, ma’am. We can wait a few minutes before continuing.
Rebecca stepped forward.
—No, wait a minute. This doesn’t make sense. What kind of theater is this?
The secretary opened the file, reviewed a document, and responded with glacial seriousness:
“This is no charade, ma’am. Mrs. Valeria de la Torre Villaseñor is listed as the primary heir and current interim president of the family trust linked to the Villaseñor Group. Furthermore, there is a separate request for an asset audit of companies related to her husband.”
The color left Alejandro’s face.
—What? What audit?
I finally spoke.
—The one that should have been done a long time ago.
The silence was brutal.
I felt his eyes fixed on me, but I didn’t look down.
