Chapter 15 - The Live Broadcast
The television studio was packed with journalists, political aides, and bright, blinding studio lights.
Senator Vargas stood at his podium, sweating slightly under the hot lights, delivering his rehearsed, manipulative rhetoric against Isabel's Law.
"We must protect the presumption of innocence!"
Vargas declared loudly, pointing at the cameras.
During the open Q&A segment, Valeria stood up from the front row. The cameras instantly pivoted to her. The entire studio fell into a dead, electric silence.
"Senator Vargas,"
Valeria spoke into the microphone, her voice perfectly calm and undeniably powerful.
"You claim to care about due process and justice."
"I absolutely do, Ms. Morales,"
Vargas sneered, gripping his podium defensively.
"Then perhaps you can explain to the voters of this state why a shell corporation named Apex Holdings deposits fifty thousand dollars into your offshore Cayman account every time a domestic violence charge is quietly dropped in your district?"
Valeria asked smoothly.
The color instantly drained from the Senator's face, turning him a sickly, ashen gray.
"That is an outrageous, slanderous lie!"
Vargas stammered, his voice cracking wildly.
"The financial ledgers were sent to the State Attorney General and every major news desk ten minutes ago,"
May you like
Valeria announced, looking directly into the live camera.
"Your career is over, Senator. And Isabel's Law will pass."
