Chapter 3 - The Interrogation of a Viper
By the time Alejandro returned to the main level, the mansion was swarming with federal agents and local police. The flashing red and blue lights cast eerie shadows across the wet marble of the driveway.
Alejandro entered his private study. Vivian was seated in a leather chair, handcuffed to the armrest. Chief Deputy Vance stood over her, while two federal agents went through her designer handbag and laptop. Despite her situation, Vivian had managed to regain some of her composure. She sneered as Alejandro walked in.
"Alejandro, this is a massive violation of my rights," she said smoothly, attempting to project her usual corporate authority. "Your security team assaulted me. If you don't drop these ridiculous charges and unlock my accounts immediately, the Moretti family will pull all their capital from Castillo International. Your stock will plunge forty percent by morning."
Alejandro didn't answer. He walked over to his desk, leaned against the edge, and stared at her with a look of such utter detachment that Vivianâs confidence slightly faltered.
"Do you know what we found in the wine cellar, Vivian?" Alejandro asked softly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. If there's someone locked in your basement, itâs a security failure on your end. I'm just your corporate partner and fiancĂ©e. I don't manage your estate's plumbing or storage rooms."
Alejandro tossed the medical ledger onto her lap. The heavy book hit her thighs, splaying open to the pages filled with her signature authorizing the offshore transfers and the medical sedation logs.
"Your signature is on every page, Vivian," Alejandro said. "The federal agents have already matched the biometric data from the transfers to your personal IP address. Your family's connections can't save you from a federal kidnapping and torture indictment. The FBI handles interstate commerce and banking fraudâwhich you committed when you transferred Elena's assets across state lines."
Vivianâs eyes darted to the ledger, and for the first time, a flicker of genuine terror crossed her features. "Alejandro... listen to me. I did it for us," she shifted tactics, her voice turning manipulative, dripping with artificial tears. "Elena was weak! She didn't understand your ambition. She wanted you to step down, to live a quiet life. She was going to hold you back from greatness! I helped you build the empire. We belong together at the top!"
"You didn't do it for us. You did it because you're a parasite," Alejandro said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "You coveted her life, her wealth, and her husband. But you could never replicate her grace. You are nothing but a common thief with a high-end wardrobe."
Chief Deputy Vance stepped forward. "Mr. Castillo, weâve also detained the head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, and three other staff members. Theyâve already signed full confessions in exchange for immunity from the death penalty. They are naming Vivian as the sole mastermind and coordinator of the entire operation."
Vivian gasped, her face twisting into an ugly mask of rage. "Those ungrateful peasants! I paid them millions! I should have disposed of that useless girl three years ago instead of keeping her alive!"
The moment the words left her mouth, Vivian realized she had just confessed. The federal agent recording the interrogation quietly tapped the tablet, saving the audio file.
Alejandro stood up, disgusted to even breathe the same air as her. "Thank you, Vivian. Your confession makes this much easier. Vance, get her out of my sight. Take her to a federal holding cell. No bail. Make sure sheâs placed under maximum security."
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"You won't get away with this, Alejandro!" Vivian screamed as the agents unlocked her from the chair and dragged her toward the door. "My father will destroy you! The Moretti cartel will burn your factories to the ground! Youâre dead, Alejandro! Do you hear me? Dead!"
Her screams echoed down the hallway until the heavy front doors slammed shut behind her. Alejandro sank into his desk chair, burying his face in his hands. The immediate threat was gone, but the true battle was just beginning. The woman he loved was a broken shell, and the empire he had built was infected with the rot of the Moretti family. He had to purge it all to save his wife.
