Sophia observed them with that analytical look again. Well, I leave you chatting. I have to go with Grandma Par. When Sophia moved away, Alexander took firmly the arm of Valentina. What did you say to Julian? Nothing important. Why? He seems nervous. Maybe just they are the normal nerves of the wedding. You know how he gets anxious in social events. Alexander looked at her for a moment. Today you look different. Different how? I don’t know. More distant. Valentina approached to him and gave him a kiss in the cheek.

It’s just the exhaustion. Love. It was a long day, but I’m happy. Sure. But Alexander continued looking at her with distrust. In that moment, Richard approached. Alexander, come. [clears throat] I want to present you to Henry Gonzalez, my accountant. You guys are going to work together from now on. Of course, Mr. Richard. Alexander smiled. But Valentina noticed the anxiety in his eyes. While they talked with the accountant, Valentina went to the bathroom to breathe a little. She needed to think in the next step.

In the bathroom, she met with Mrs. Carmen, the mother of Alexander, retouching the makeup. Valentina, dear, what a beautiful party, she said, but her tone didn’t sound sincere. Thanks, Mrs. Carmen. I hope that you are very happy. Alexander deserves a good life after. Well, after the problems he had. Valentina stopped washing the hands. What problems? Mrs. Carmen seemed to have overstepped the line. There is nothing important, just some economic difficulties that all young people pass. What type of difficulties?

Well, you know, loans, credit cards, nothing that a good marriage doesn’t fix. The coldness with which she said it made that Valentina understood that the mother knew of the plans of her son. I understand, responded Valentina simply. I am sure that you guys will help each other mutually after all for that is the marriage right share responsibilities and resources. Resources what an interesting word of course Mrs. Carmen. When Valentina returned to the hall the party was in its peak.

The people danced, conversed animatedly, had fun. It was a surreal contrast with the whirlwind that passed through her head. Dylan approached while she took a glass of champagne. Valentina, can I talk with you a moment? Sure. They separated to a more private corner. I know that you heard our conversation this morning. Valentina decided not to deny it. And what? I tried to convince Alexander to not do it. You need to know that. Why do you tell it to me?

Because I already can’t pretend that everything is okay. He is my friend. But this is very wrong. And what do you suggest that I do? I don’t know. Maybe maybe you guys can talk. Maybe he changes opinion. Valentina almost laughed. Dylan, you heard the same that I did. He has planned it for 2 years. It’s not something he is going to regret. Then what will you do? Still I am deciding it. Please don’t destroy him in public.

I know that he deserves it. But but what? He has serious problems with certain people. If he loses this opportunity, what people? Dylan lowered even more the voice. People who lend him money. People who don’t play. Valentina felt a chill. Alexander not only was in debt, he was in danger. How much does he owe? Much, more than 200,000. And if he doesn’t pay, Dylan only moved the head, leaving the implication in the air. Valentina kept silence a moment, processing the new information.

Alexander was not only a greedy scammer, he was a desperate man. Dylan, thanks for telling me this. You won’t do anything drastic, right? I promise that I will think it well before acting. When Dylan moved away, Valentina stayed alone with her thoughts. The situation was more complex than she imagined. Alexander was in real danger, and that explained part of his desperation, but it didn’t justify wanting to trick her and use her family. Sophia appeared at her side.

Val, I got preliminary information. How? Already? I have a friend who works in a law firm. I made some discreet calls. And Alexander has the name stained since long ago, more than a year. Several overdue debts, protests, a very complicated history. Anything else? There are lawsuits against him, people collecting money, and it seems that he already had tried to approach other rich families of the region before meeting you. Valentina felt that the blood froze. Other families? Yes.

He was engaged with a girl from Denver last year, but her father discovered something and cancelled everything at last minute. Sophia, are you sure of this? I have the name of the family if you want to investigate more. Then Alexander was a professional scammer. Valentina was not his first victim and probably wouldn’t be the last if he achieved to trick her. Sophia, I need you to do me another favor. Tell me, can you find out who are his creditors, the people to whom he owes money?

I can try, but Val, this is getting dangerous. Maybe it’s better that you simply ask for the divorce. No, if I do that, he will continue trying to apply the same deceit to other women. And besides, he could try to take revenge of our family in some way. Then what do you think to do? Valentina looked toward Alexander, who conversed animatedly with Richard about the business plans. I’m going to give him exactly what he wants, but not as he expects.

I don’t understand. Still I am assembling the plan but trust me. Dear listener if you are enjoying the story don’t forget to give a like and above all subscribe to the channel. That helps us a lot who are starting out. Now let’s continue. The rest of the night passed in a mist of fake smiles and acting. Valentina danced, conversed, took photos, always maintaining the facade of happy bride. Alexander also continued with his acting, but she noticed that he was each time more anxious for the party to finish.

Near midnight, the preparations began for the traditional hour of leaving. Valentina threw the bouquet, which was caught by a single cousin. She and Alexander cut the cake again for the last photos. Finally, the moment arrived to go to the bridal suite in the same hotel. Richard and Patricia said goodbye with tears in the eyes. My daughter be very happy, said Patricia. Take care of each other much, added Richard, embracing Alexander as a son. If they knew. In the elevator of the hotel, Alexander finally relaxed.

Gh. It had already finished. He was tired of faking happiness. Valentina looked at him surprised. Faking? Alexander realized of what he had said and tried to correct himself. No, no, I don’t refer to that. It’s that the party’s tire, right? Many people, much noise. But now it’s only the two of us. Yes, it’s only the two of us, repeated Valentina with a tone that he didn’t understand. In the suite, Alexander went straight to the bathroom to shower.

Valentina took advantage to take her cell phone and send a message to Sophia. I need all the information that you can get for tomorrow. It’s urgent. The response arrived fast. I’m on it, but Val, be careful. These people don’t play. Valentina kept the cell phone. When Alexander came out of the bathroom, he approached to her with that seductive smile that before turned her crazy. “Finally alone, Mrs. Sterling.” “Mrs. Sterling,” repeated she. “Still it sounds weird. You’ll get used,” said he, trying to kiss her.

Valentina separated gently. “Alexander, I am exhausted. What if we leave it for tomorrow?” His expression changed quickly. Seriously, in our first night of married, it’s just that it was a very intense day. I need to process everything. Alexander got irritated visibly, but tried to dissimulate. All right, I understand. But she knew that he didn’t understand. Probably he was planning how to accelerate his plans to access her assets, and a distant wife didn’t help. Valentina went to the bathroom and stayed a while alone, ordering her thoughts.

When she came out, Alexander already was asleep, or faked to be. She lied down on the other side of the bed, the furthest possible from him. It was weird being there, married with a man that she didn’t know really, in a bed that should be the beginning of a happy life. The next morning, Alexander woke up with good mood. Good morning, wife, said he, kissing her face. Good morning, responded she, sleepy. What if we have breakfast in the room?

We can take advantage to talk about our plans. What plans? Well, now that we are married, we must think in the future. Own house, investments. Maybe I can help your dad with the business. There it came. Alexander, don’t you believe that it’s very soon for that? We just got married. Soon, Valentina, planning never is too soon. By the way, your dad mentioned yesterday that he wants to take me to know the headquarters on Monday, and you already accepted.

Of course, it’s an incredible opportunity to learn from the family business family. As if he really mattered the family. The cell phone of Valentina vibrated. A message from Sophia. I got more information. We must talk urgent. Who is it? asked Alexander. Sophia thanks me for the party. Oh, how sweet. Your sister is cool. And if he knew that Sophia was investigating him. Alexander, I’m going to shower and then we go down to have breakfast. Good. Perfect. I’ll take advantage to call the boys and thank them for the party.

In the bathroom, Valentina called Sophia. Hello, Val. I discovered grave things. Alexander owes them money to very dangerous people. And they are not only 200,000. They are almost 500,000. 500,000? Yes. And there is more. Really? He tried to apply the same fraud with at least three distinct families in the last 2 years. How so? Always the same scheme. He approaches to the daughter of rich entrepreneurs, conquers the family, marries and tries to access to the assets. In the first family, the dad realized in time.

In the second, the bride suspected and finished everything. You are the third attempt. Valentina felt nausea. Sophia, are you sure of this? Totally. I talked with one of the ex-girlfriends. She told me everything. And the creditors, they are people involved in illegal games, clandestine casinos, sports bets. Alexander has a serious vice, Val. And if he doesn’t pay, the ex-girlfriend said that they already have threatened him several times. For that reason, he is so desperate. Valentina kept silence, assimilating all the information.

Val, are you there? I am Sophia. Thanks for finding out all this. What are you going to do now? I will put in motion my plan. [clears throat] What plan? Afterward, I tell you, but I need one more thing. Tell me. Can you find out exactly who are those creditors? Names, addresses, how to contact them. Valentina, that is very dangerous. Sophia, trust me, I won’t do anything silly. All right, but promise me that you will tell me everything afterward.

I promise you. When she hung up, Valentina stayed a moment looking herself at the mirror. Her reflection showed a determined woman, very different from the naive bride that Alexander believed to have conquered. She returned to the room and found Alexander at the phone. Yes, man. Everything turned out perfect. now only. It’s a matter of time. No, she doesn’t suspect anything. Monday, I already start working with the father-in-law. Alexander noticed that she had arrived and hung up fast.

It was Julian thanking for the party. How good, said Valentina, knowing perfectly that it was lie. During the breakfast in the restaurant of the hotel, Alexander was euphoric. Valentina, I am thinking what if we cancel the honeymoon. How so? It’s that your dad got very excited with the idea of teaching me the business. I don’t want to lose this opportunity. Alexander, they are 15 days in Spain. My parents paid everything. I know, but we can go another day.

Now is the perfect moment to establish myself in the company. Valentina observed him. He was so anxious for starting to rob that he couldn’t even wait 2 weeks. All right, said she, if that is what you want. Alexander smiled radiant. He knew that you would understand. Now we are a team. Team? What a joke. After the breakfast, they returned home. Valentina lived in an apartment of three rooms that her parents had given to her when she graduated from the university.

Alexander had moved there some weeks before the wedding, but maintained his old rented apartment. “Love, I need to pass by my apartment to pick up some things,” said Alexander. “All right, I’ll take advantage to rest a little.” “Perfect. I return in some hours.” As soon as Alexander left, Valentina called Sophia. He already left. Can you come? I am on my way. 30 minutes later, Sophia arrived with a folder full of documents. Val, I got much more information.

Sit because it’s too much. Tell me. First, the creditors. They are people really dangerous already. They have broken the legs to some debtors. Alexander is very scared. Continue. Second, I discovered that he has more debts besides the bets. Loans with lone sharks. credit cards at the limit. Overdue financings. In total, he owes more than $800,000. $800,000? My god. And there is more. He lied about everything in his life. The accounting office where he says that he works.

They fired him 6 months ago for suspicions of money diversion. So, he is unemployed completely and survives on small scams and loans. Valentina moved the head incredulous. Anything else? Yes. His family also is in bankruptcy. His mom lost the house because Alexander asked for money borrowed using her as guarantor. He destroyed his own family. For that reason, she was so interested in the wedding. Exact. For her, you are the salvation of the family. Valentina stood up and walked toward the window.

Sophia, he is much more dangerous than what I thought. For that reason, I believe that you should leave immediately. Ask for the divorce. Get out of Aspen if necessary. No. Why not? Valentina turned to see her sister. Because if I do that, he will continue destroying other families, and he could try to take revenge of ours, too. Then what is your plan? I’m going to give him exactly what he wants. access to the assets of the family.

Valentina, are you crazy? Relax. Let me explain you. Valentina sat again and took the hands of her sister. Alexander believes that I am a naive girl and in love, right? Yes. So, I will continue being that girl. I will help him to get access to the businesses of dad. Even I will suggest him to sign powers and important documents. Still I don’t understand. Sophia, you are studying law. What happens when someone signs fraudulent documents or tries to rob from a company?

Sophia opened the eyes. They go to jail for scam, fraud. Exact. And if that person is in debt with criminals, having criminal records won’t help much his situation, right, Valentina? Do you want him arrested? I want him caught red-handed trying to rob us with enough proofs to ensure that never more he does this to anyone, but it’s dangerous. And if he realizes, he won’t do it. He underestimates me too much. Sophia reflected a moment. And his creditors?

Ah, of that I have another plan. Valentina smiled. I will make a deal with them. How? I will search them and propose them to pay the debt of Alexander. In exchange, they will do some things for me. What things? When I have proofs that he tried to rob us, I will deliver them to the authorities. But before I will give him a lesson that never he will forget. Sophia moved the head. This is very risky, Val. Maybe, but it’s the only way to ensure that never more he hurts anyone.

[clears throat] Alexander underestimates me, and that is my biggest advantage. Sophia side. All right. What do you need that I do? First, I want all the details of the creditors, names, addresses, how to contact them. Second, I want that you help me to document everything that he does in the next days. document. How? Recordings, photos, copies of documents, everything that proves that he is trying to trick me. And are you sure that you want to arrive up to the end with this?

Valentina looked through the window again. From the apartment, she could see the company of her father in the center of the city. Three generations of honest work that Alexander wanted to destroy in some weeks. I am sure. Alexander returned at the end of the afternoon carrying two suitcases. Hello, love. I brought the rest of my things. How good. Now officially we live together. Yes. Alexander seemed to doubt. Valentina, can we talk about something? Sure. About what is it about?

It’s about money. I am a bit tight right now. There it came. Tight. How? some overdue bills of the previous apartment. You know, nothing grave. But I thought since we are married, maybe we could unify our finances. Unify how? Well, put everything in a joint account so it will be easier to manage it. Valentina faked to consider. It has sense, but don’t you believe that it’s very soon? Valentina, we are husband and wife. What’s mine is yours and vice versa.

All right. Tomorrow we can go to the bank to fix that. Alexander smiled, relieved. Perfect. And about working with your dad? What happens? He wants to take me tomorrow. Same to know the company. I am very excited. How good? For sure it will go very well for you. I believe so. By the way, I thought, could your dad give me a power to sign some documents to a grandise the procedures? A power? Don’t you believe that it’s soon for that?

It’s that I really want to help. And if he is on a trip or busy, I could resolve some things for him. Valentina faked to reflect. It has logic. I will talk with him. Alexander embraced her. I knew that you would understand me. We are a true team. That night, while Alexander slept, Valentina sent messages to Sophia to organize the next steps of the plan. Also, she searched an internet about the creditors of Alexander and found worrying information.

The next morning, Alexander woke up excited. “Today is my first day working with your dad. I am nervous.” Everything will turn out well, said Valentina, preparing coffee. My dad is very enthusiastic with your ideas. Speaking of that, did you talk with him about the power? Not yet, but I will try it today. Perfect. When Alexander came out toward the company, Valentina called Richard. Dad, can I talk with you? Sure, daughter. Did something happen? No, nothing grave. It’s about Alexander.

What happens with him? Everything good? Yes. Yes. It’s that he is very enthusiastic for helping in the business. Even he asked if you could give him a power to a grandise some procedures. There was a pause on the other side. A power daughter barely he starts to work with me. Don’t you believe that it’s very soon? I told him the same, but he insisted in that he really wants to help. Let me think about it. For now, I will teach him the basic.

Sure, Dad. There is no hurry. Valentina, can I ask you something? Go ahead. Are you okay? Since the wedding, you look different. Valentina breathed deep. I am okay, Dad. They are many changes at once. I understand. If you need something, here I am. Thanks, Dad. Upon hanging up, Valentina got ready to come out. She had an appointment with one of the people to whom Alexander owed money. The encounter was in a cafe of the center. Valentina arrived at noon, and searched for a man of 40 years old, gay-haired, called Ramirez.

“Are you Valentina?” asked Te when approaching. Yes. Are you Ramirez? The same. Sit down. Ramirez didn’t look like the dangerous criminal that Valentina imagined. He was a common man dressed simple who would pass for any merchant. So, you are the wife of Alexander? said he, stirring the coffee. That’s how it is. And do you want to pay his debts? That’s how it is, but with some conditions. Ramirez laughed. Conditions? Girl, you are not in position of putting conditions.

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