My Husband Slapped Me Twice to Protect His Mistress—He Didn't Know I Was the True Owner of Everything

For the next three weeks, Escalante Tower became a war room.

Mariana’s legal team worked around the clock with federal prosecutors, building an airtight case against Victor Vance. Andrew spent hours in deposition rooms, meticulously walking investigators through the complex web of shell companies and offshore accounts Vance used to funnel bribes.

David stayed by Mariana’s side through it all, offering quiet strength and unwavering support.

One late evening, Mariana and David were sitting in her office, eating cold takeout food over a mountain of legal briefs.

"The prosecutors are confident," David said, pointing to a document. "They have subpoenaed the bank records in the Cayman Islands. They match Andrew's files perfectly."

Mariana rubbed her tired eyes.

"Vance knows we are building a case. His smear campaign in the press has only gotten worse."

"It's the desperation of a cornered animal," David reassured her. "He knows he is losing."

Suddenly, Mariana's private cell phone rang. It was an unknown number.

She answered cautiously.

"Hello?"

"You think you have won, don't you?" a chilling voice came through the speaker.

It was Victor Vance.

Mariana signaled to David, putting the phone on speaker.

"I think the truth is finally catching up to you, Mr. Vance," Mariana said calmly.

Vance laughed, a harsh, grating sound.

"You are relying on the testimony of a disgraced, broke criminal. Andrew Escalante has zero credibility. When my lawyers get him on the stand, they will tear him apart. They will make it look like a bitter ex-husband conspiring with a vengeful ex-wife."

"The documents speak for themselves," Mariana countered.

"Documents can be forged," Vance sneered. "Drop the federal case, Mariana. Give me the land for Hope Village, and I will make the press attacks disappear. If you don't, I will completely destroy your foundation, and I will make sure Andrew spends the rest of his life in a federal penitentiary."

Mariana looked at David. He nodded at her, his eyes full of fiery determination.

"We do not negotiate with bullies," Mariana said fiercely into the phone. "I will see you in court, Mr. Vance."