Chapter 17 - Mercedes Without PearlsMercedes appeared at Lucía's office three days later without her pearls. She wore a plain coat and no makeup. For once, she looked like a woman in her sixties rather than a queen waiting to be served.
Her attorney had arranged the meeting to discuss returning property and limiting further contact. I agreed only after Lucía explained the boundaries. There would be no private bargain, and all communications would be documented.
Mercedes sat across from me. “I suppose you think you've won.”
“I think I can finally see the bill.”
Her mouth tightened. “You always had a cruel streak.”
“Not paying for your dinner isn't cruelty.”
She looked away.
The alternate account had received money from several small investors who believed they were contributing to a legitimate property venture. Sergio had helped arrange introductions. Mercedes had apparently been using portions of the funds to cover earlier obligations, creating a cycle that needed fresh money just to keep moving.
My company was supposed to be the next source.
“Why me?” I asked.
“Because Javier said you'd never refuse him.”
There it was. Not hatred, not destiny. A practical calculation based on years of my silence.
“What happened to my father's records?”
“I wanted them gone.”
“Because they showed what you did?”
“They showed what all of us did. Your father included.”
“I know about his payment.”
She flinched. “Then you know how the world works.”
“I know he tried to make it right. I know you tried to keep taking.”
For a moment her expression broke. “Eduardo left me with creditors and a little boy. I did what I had to do.”
“Javier was a grown man when he forged my signature.”
“Don't put that on him.”
“He put it on himself.”
Mercedes stood. Her attorney touched her arm, reminding her that the meeting was over. At the door she turned back.
“You think he'll choose you over me?” she asked.
“I stopped waiting for him to choose me.”
That evening Lucía received notice that one of the investors had made a formal complaint, bringing more attention to the financing scheme. But the news that frightened me came from Inés.
A major client had frozen our final payment after receiving a letter alleging that Morales Studio was under criminal investigation.
The letter carried Mercedes's company seal.
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