Chapter 11: The Man Behind the Family Name
The address led us to a private estate on the outskirts of Mexico City.
I recognized the iron gates immediately.
It was the property Alejandro had once described as belonging to a retired businessman.
He had brought me there on our third date.
I remembered the garden.
The fountain.
The expensive cars.
And the older gentleman who had shaken my hand and called me a lovely girl.
Richard Bennett.
I had met my biological father without knowing it.
Camila parked several houses away.
"Are you sure you want to do this?""
I looked at the gate.
"No.""
She gave a nervous laugh.
"At least we're being honest.""
We approached on foot.
The front gate was unlocked.
Inside, the garden was perfectly maintained. Fresh roses surrounded a stone fountain.
A man stood near the entrance.
He was older than in the photograph, but unmistakably the same person.
The scar above his left eyebrow.
The silver hair.
The deep-set eyes.
He looked at me.
Then he smiled.
"Valeria.""
I stopped.
He took one step forward.
"My daughter.""
I felt nothing resembling affection.
"Don't call me that.""
His smile faded.
"Of course. You've had a difficult day.""
"You've had twenty-eight years to make it easier.""
Richard looked at Camila.
"Thank you for bringing her.""
Camila didn't answer.
He opened the front door.
"Come inside. We have much to discuss.""
The living room was filled with photographs.
Richard standing beside company executives.
Richard receiving awards.
Richard shaking hands with politicians.
But there were no photographs of my mother.
No photographs of Daniel.
No photographs of Sebastian.
I stood near the fireplace.
"Why did you let me believe Daniel was my father?""
Richard poured himself a drink.
"Because Daniel wanted to raise you.""
"That isn't an answer.""
He placed the glass down.
"Your mother and I had a complicated relationship. I was married. I had responsibilities.""
"You had a son.""
"Yes.""
"And you abandoned him.""
Richard's expression hardened.
"Sebastian was given every opportunity. I made sure he was educated, protected, and financially secure.""
"You let him believe his mother abandoned him.""
"Elena made her choices.""
I stepped closer.
"She spent the rest of her life looking for him.""
Richard sighed.
"Your mother was emotional.""
I felt something inside me snap.
"Don't you dare speak about her like that.""
He raised his eyebrows.
"Still defending a woman who hid the truth from you?""
"She hid it because she knew what you were.""
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
"Sit down, Valeria.""
"No.""
He walked toward the fireplace.
"You think you're here because of a family mystery. You're here because of a business problem.""
I stared at him.
"Of course.""
"The land your grandmother left you is worth thirty million dollars. Bennett International needs it to complete a major development project.""
"Then buy it.""
"I tried.""
"You tried stealing it.""
Richard sighed.
"Your husband was supposed to handle the transfer.""
"He's my ex-husband.""
"That changes nothing.""
He picked up a folder from the mantel.
"Your marriage was arranged with a specific purpose.""
I felt sick.
"By you?""
"With the assistance of several people.""
"Did Alejandro know?""
Richard nodded.
"He knew from the beginning.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Did he ever love me?""
Richard considered the question.
"Love is an unreliable foundation for business.""
I stepped back.
"You're disgusting.""
He continued as if I hadn't spoken.
"Your grandmother's land was originally purchased with company funds. She held it in trust until the development became profitable. The arrangement was supposed to benefit the family.""
"Which family?""
"Mine.""
I stared at him.
"Then why put my name on it?""
"Because you were useful.""
The words came out casually.
As if he were discussing a property boundary.
I looked at him for a long moment.
Then I asked the question that had haunted me since I saw the photograph.
"Did you know my mother loved Daniel?""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"She made a mistake.""
"She loved him.""
"He was a weak man.""
"He raised your daughter.""
Richard looked away.
For the first time, something resembling discomfort crossed his face.
Then he opened the folder.
Inside was a transfer agreement.
My name appeared at the bottom.
Beside it was a blank signature line.
"Sign this, and everything ends.""
I looked at the document.
"What happens to Sebastian?""
"He receives his share.""
"What happens to Daniel?""
"That depends on his cooperation.""
"And Arthur?""
Richard smiled.
"Arthur has already been paid.""
I felt cold.
"How much?""
"Enough.""
I pushed the document away.
"I'm not signing.""
Richard's expression changed.
"Valeria, don't be foolish.""
"You're going to have to find another daughter.""
He stared at me.
Then he walked toward the hallway.
"Bring him in.""
Two men appeared.
Between them was a familiar figure.
Daniel.
His face was bruised, and one sleeve of his shirt was torn.
He looked directly at me.
"Valeria, don't sign anything.""
Richard sighed.
"Always the martyr.""
Daniel struggled against the men.
"She has nothing to do with this.""
Richard approached him.
"That's where you're wrong.""
He turned toward me.
"Your biological father has been hiding something from you.""
Daniel shook his head.
"Don't.""
Richard smiled.
"Tell her what happened the night her mother died.""
My blood ran cold.
I looked at Daniel.
"What?""
Daniel closed his eyes.
Richard continued.
"Your mother didn't die of natural causes.""
The room went silent.
I couldn't breathe.
Daniel finally spoke.
"Valeria, I was there.""
I stepped closer.
"What happened?""
He looked at me with tears in his eyes.
"Richard ordered me to leave her alone that night. I refused.""
Richard laughed softly.
"Such a noble story.""
Daniel continued.
"Your mother had discovered that Richard was using the company to fund illegal operations. She was going to expose him.""
I looked at Richard.
"Did you kill her?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he walked to the desk and opened a drawer.
He removed a small black recorder.
Then he pressed play.
My mother's voice filled the room.
"Daniel, please. Take Valeria and leave.""
A man's voice answered.
"I can't.""
"Then they'll come for both of you.""
A crash.
A scream.
Then silence.
I covered my mouth.
Daniel looked at me.
"I arrived too late.""
Richard switched off the recorder.
"Your mother died because she refused to understand the consequences of challenging powerful people.""
I stared at him.
"You killed her.""
Richard's face became expressionless.
"Prove it.""
Then he turned toward the two men.
"Take Daniel upstairs.""
They dragged him away.
I rushed forward.
"Don't touch him!""
One of the men shoved me backward.
Camila caught my arm.
Richard picked up the transfer agreement.
"Think carefully, Valeria. You have until midnight.""
I looked at the clock.
11:42 p.m.
He smiled.
"Sixteen minutes.""
May you like
Then he leaned closer and whispered:
"Sign, or your brother will be the next person to disappear.""
