Chapter 19 - The Floor Collapses
Bernardo Cabrales felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out, read the message, and felt all the blood drain from his face. He walked like a ghost into the chaotic lounge and went straight to his wife.
"Élida," he said softly, gripping her arm tight enough to bruise. "I need to speak with you right now."
"I am speaking with Mrs. Fuentes, Bernardo, wait a moment—"
"Now," he commanded, a raw panic in his tone that made her freeze.
She followed her husband into an empty side corridor.
"Do you know who Valentina's father is?" Bernardo asked, his voice shaking.
"A nobody, I assume," Élida scoffed.
"Augusto Villanueva. Of Grupo Villanueva Capital."
Élida blinked, her aristocratic ivory complexion draining to a sickly, paper-white pallor as a micro-expression of absolute terror seized her features.
"That is impossible."
"He just messaged me. The credit line... he has activated the immediate recall clause. All debts. Plus accumulated interest."
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"How much?" she whispered.
Bernardo told her the exact figure, and for the first time in her life, Élida Montserrat was left entirely speechless.
