Chapter 3 - The Fortress of Glass
As the police led a screaming, hysterical Helena out of the chapel in handcuffs, surrounded by flashing red and blue lights and a swarm of news reporters who had gathered outside, Ricardo swept Bia into his arms.
He wrapped his navy wool coat around her small shoulders, blocking her view of the cameras and the chaos.
"Is Mommy coming back now?" Bia whispered against his chest as they stepped into the back of Ricardo's armored sedan.
Ricardo felt his chest tighten, a lump forming in his throat. He pulled the little girl closer, kissing the top of her dark hair. "No, sweetie. Mommy can't come back. But she gave us the truth, and she made sure you were safe with me. You did a brave thing today, Bia. The bravest thing anyone could ever do."
By midnight, Ricardo’s penthouse apartment atop the glass-and-steel tower overlooking the city had become a command center.
The luxury apartment was usually pristine, quiet, and minimalist. Tonight, it was alive with activity. Ricardo’s top legal team, led by senior partner Sarah Vance, sat around the long mahogany dining table, surrounded by legal briefs, corporate ledgers, and forensic printouts.
In the master bedroom, a team of specialized child psychologists and pediatric nurses were ensuring Bia was fed, bathed, and comfortable. For the first time in weeks, the young girl had eaten a full meal—a bowl of warm soup and fresh bread—and was resting under a plush feather duvet, holding her ragdoll tight.
"Ricardo," Sarah said, tapping her pen against a thick stack of documents. "Helena’s arrest is a victory, but the battle is far from over. Her legal team is already filing motions to suppress the audio recording."
Ricardo walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking out at the glittering city skyline. "On what grounds?"
"They're claiming the phone was obtained illegally, that the audio file could be a deepfake created using AI voice synthesis, and that Bia is an incompetent witness due to trauma and her age," Sarah explained solemnly. "Furthermore, Helena’s co-conspirators on the board of directors are moving to seize control of the company first thing tomorrow morning before the stock market opens."
Ricardo turned around, his dark eyes sharp as flint. "Who on the board is backing her?"
"Travis Miller," Sarah replied, sliding a folder across the table. "He holds twelve percent of the voting shares. He was Helena's primary ally. We suspect he helped her tamper with the medical equipment that killed your sister. If Travis secures the proxy votes tomorrow, he can liquidate the estate trust and strip Bia of her inheritance before Helena even stands trial."
Ricardo leaned over the table, pressing his palms against the polished wood.
"Call an emergency board meeting for 8:00 AM," Ricardo ordered calmly. "And call the chief of pediatric forensics. I want a complete, unassailable biometric authentication of that recording done before dawn."
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"And Travis?" Sarah asked.
A slow, dangerous smile touched Ricardo’s lips. "Travis thinks he’s playing chess with a grieving family. He's about to find out what happens when you threaten my niece."
