Chapter 7 - The Arrest on the Cathedral Steps
"You wished I was dead, Esther," Valeria said, her voice clear and commanding, carrying across the silent plaza. "Because dead women can't testify."
Lead Prosecutor Sofia Morales stepped forward, pulling a thick stack of federal arrest warrants from her leather trench coat.
"Esther Aranda, Marcela Aranda, and Guillermo Aranda," Prosecutor Morales announced into the microphones. "You are under arrest for attempted murder, forced neurotoxin poisoning, kidnapping, illegal antiquities smuggling, and tax fraud."
"This is an outrage!" Marcela screamed, trying to run toward her limousine, but two female federal agents grabbed her arms, forcing her to the stone floor and snapping handcuffs around her wrists. "Alejandro! Tell them! Tell them she made this up!"
Alejandro didn't even look at his sister. He looked directly into his mother’s eyes as federal agents clicked handcuffs over Esther's delicate gold bracelets.
"You built an empire on blood, stolen history, and lies, Mother," Alejandro said coldly. "And you tried to sacrifice my wife and child to keep it. Today, the Aranda name is scrubbed clean."
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"You are no son of mine!" Esther spat, her aristocratic mask completely shattering into ugly, hysterical screams as she was dragged down the marble steps toward the police van. "You ruined everything! You ruined us!"
"No," Alejandro whispered, holding Valeria close to his side. "I saved my real family."
