Yes, I am. You guys want the money. I have the money, but I need some things in exchange. What things? Valentina breathed deep. I need that you guys pressure Alexander some days more. Don’t do anything violent. Just keep him scared. And why do you want that? Let’s say that I’m planning to give him a lesson. Ramirez studied her a moment. You discovered that he married with you for money, right? How do you know it, girl? A man who owes $800,000 doesn’t marry for love.

He marries for necessity. $800,000. Does he owe all that to you guys? To us and to other five people. Alexander got in many problems. And if I pay everything, then he stays free. But before, can you guys help me with something? Depends. Valentina told to Ramirez about her plans of catching Alexander robbing from the family. Ramirez heard everything with attention. Interesting, said he at the end. And do you believe that this will function? I am sure. And what do you gain with that?

The certainty that never more he will hurt anyone? Ramirez reflected. All right, let’s do this. I give you 5 days to get the proofs. Meanwhile, we continue pressuring him. Afterward, you pay the debt and we disappear from his lives. Deal. But if something turns out wrong, if he discovers what you do, we don’t make ourselves responsible. Understood. Ramirez stood up to leave. A question. Why don’t you just ask for the divorce and that’s it? Not only for me, but for all the women he tried to trick.

Are you brave or very stupid? Maybe the two. When Valentina arrived at home, Alexander already was there, nervous. How did it go for you the first day? asked she. Well, complicated. Why? Your father is very cautious. He didn’t leave me do anything important yet. It’s normal. First, he needs to trust in you. I know but Val that thing about the authorization what happens did you talk with him? Yes. He said that he will think about it. Alexander seemed frustrated.

Ah he expected a response more positive. Alexander relax. They are only some days. Soon he will give you more responsibilities. It’s that well I have some pressures. People collecting old debts. What debts? Alexander doubted. Nothing grave, just pending accounts. How much do you owe? It’s not much. Some 20? 30,000. More lies. He owed almost a million and said that they were 30,000. Alexander, why didn’t you tell me it before? I didn’t want to worry you. I thought that with my new work, I would resolve it fast.

Can I help you? Seriously, of course. We are spouses. Your problems are mine. Alexander embraced her. Val, you are incredible. I knew that I took the right decision. Right decision? If he knew. How much do you need exactly? Well, maybe some 50,000 to pay everything and be quiet. 50,000 of a million. He lied shamelessly. Okay, tomorrow I transfer them to you. Seriously, just like that, Alexander, I love you. I want that you be quiet to focus in the work.

You are perfect, said he, kissing her. Perfect to trick, he must have thought. That night, while Alexander slept, Valentina called Sophia. “How was the meeting?” asked her sister. “Better than expected. They will cooperate. And Alexander, he is desperate. He asked me borrowed $50,000. 50,000 of a million exact. And tomorrow I will give them to him. Why? To be the perfect wife. He needs to trust in me for the plan to function. And the proofs I am on it already.

He is asking to my dad that he gives him a power. It’s a matter of time until he tries something more concrete. Valentina, are you sure of knowing what you are doing? I am. Trust in me. The next morning, Valentina went to the bank and transferred $50,000 to the account of Alexander. When he saw the transfer, almost he cries of relief. Valentina, very many thanks and more. You don’t know the weight that you took off from me.

I imagine it. Now you can concentrate in the work. Exact. By the way, about that power, Alexander, my dad needs time. You understand it, right? I understand it. But Valentina, can I tell you something? I have some ideas for expanding the businesses of the family, but I need access to some documents for studying them better. What type of documents? contracts with suppliers, account statements, that type of things. It’s nothing out of the world. And for what do you need that to understand better how the business functions so I can suggest improvements?

Valentina faked to consider it has sense. I can ask to my dad that he gives you access to that information. Seriously, it would be perfect. But Alexander, do you promise that you will use that information only for studying? Of course, for what more would I use it to Rob, thought she? All right, I will talk with him today. Alexander kissed her excited. You are the best wife of the world. If he knew that he is digging his own tomb.

Valentina called Richard. Dad, Alexander is very interested in understanding better the businesses. He asked if you could give him access to some documents for studying them. What documents? Contracts, account statements, those things. He wants to suggest improvements. Richard stayed pensive. Daughter, that is information very sensitive of the company. I know, Dad, but now he is family and seems really interested in helping. Let me talk with him first. See what type of ideas he has. Sure. Valentina, can I ask you something?

Go ahead. Is this interest of Alexander in the businesses not being a bit too intense? Valentina faked surprise. How so? It’s that he makes many questions about values, accounts, suppliers for someone who barely starts. Dad, he just wants to impress you. Demonstrate that he is dedicated. Maybe, but I’m going to be on the lookout. Sure, you have reason in being cautious. When Valentina hung up, she noticed that Richard already suspected. That was good and bad at the same time.

Good because he would not be easily tricked. Bad because he could discover her plans, too. In the afternoon, Alexander returned from work visibly frustrated. “How did it go for you today?” asked Valentina. “Your dad is being very cautious. Barely he leaves me see the basic documents. It’s his personality. Always he has been like that. But how am I going to be able to help if I don’t understand how the business functions? Give it time, Alexander. Only you have been there 2 days.” Yes, but Valentina, do you believe that your dad trusts in me?

Of course he does. Why do you ask it? Today he made me some weird questions about my interest in the figures of the company. Valentina dissimulated the worry. What type of questions? He asked why I wanted to know about the gains of the last years. He said that it wasn’t relevant for my initial work. And what did you respond to him? That I wanted to understand the potential of growth, but he didn’t seem convinced. Alexander, relax. My dad is distrustful by nature, so he has protected the company all these years.

Yes, maybe you have reason. But Alexander continued worried, and Valentina knew that he was getting desperate. That night, the phone of Alexander rang. he responded nervous. Hello. Valentina could not hear what the person said on the other side, but she saw Alexander paling. I know. Yes, I know that the deadline is up. No, still I haven’t got it. I need some days more. Alexander came out to the balcony to continue the conversation. When he returned, he was visibly altered.

Who was it? Asked Valentina. Nobody work problem. But if barely you have been working for two days, it’s a matter of an old client of the office where I worked before. More lies. Alexander, are you okay? You look nervous. I am perfect, only tired. But he wasn’t perfect. He was terrified. The next morning, Alexander came out early to work, more nervous than ever. Valentina, will you talk today with your dad about the loan? I will do it.

It’s important. Very important. I understand. And if he asks for what is the money, what do I tell him? That it’s for liquidating all our debts and starting a new life without financial worries. Okay. And after the exit of Alexander, Valentina called immediately to Richard. Dad, he is desperate. How so? He asked other 100,000 borrowed and the deadline is Friday. Friday? What deadline? The one from his creditors. If he doesn’t pay by Friday, they will take drastic measures.

Valentina, this is getting very dangerous. I know, Dad. For that reason, I must accelerate the plan. What plan? I will give him the money today, but with one condition. What condition? That he uses the power of attorney to make the transfer direct from the account of the company. Valentina, that is very risky. It’s the only way to catch him red-handed. Dad, if he makes the transfer, we will have legal proof of attempt of robbery,” Richard reflected. And if he doesn’t accept to do it for the company, he will accept.

He is too desperate for questioning it. All right. But I will monitor everything in real time. Perfect. Valentina called Alexander. Love. I talked with my dad about the loan. And he accepted lending us the money. Alexander sighed relieved. Thanks Valentina. You saved my life. But there is a condition. What condition? He has a high amount. He wants that you make the transfer directly from the corporate account so it will be easier for him to control the money.

Alexander doubted from the account of the company. Yes. He said that you have power of attorney so you can make the transfer this afternoon. H All right. It has sense. Can you do it today? Yes, I can. To what account do I transfer the money? You can transfer it direct to your personal account. Afterward, you resolve the debts. Perfect, Valentina. Thanks. Truly. Nothing to mention. Love. When Valentina hung up, she knew that she had put the plan in motion.

Alexander was so desperate that he accepted doing exactly what she wanted. use the power of attorney to transfer money from the company to his personal account. That would be enough evidence to sue him for fraud and embezzlement. She called Richard. Dad, he accepted. He will make the transfer this afternoon. Valentina, are you sure that you want to arrive up to the end with this? Absolutely. It’s the only way to ensure that never more heards anyone. All right.

I’m going to monitor all the movements of the account. And Dad, yes. When he makes the transfer, can you call the police? I can, but And you? Where will you be when it happens? I will be far. I don’t want to be near when they arrest him. In the afternoon, Valentina came out of the house and went to a cafe in the center of the city. From there, she called Sophia. Today is the day. Are you sure that it’s what you want?

Yes. Alexander will try to transfer $100,000 from the company today. When he does it, my dad will call the police. And afterward, afterward, they will arrest him for fraud. And never more he can do this to anyone. Valentina. And if he tries to take revenge, he won’t be able. He will be in the jail. At 4:00 in the afternoon, Richard called. Daughter, he made the transfer. How? $100,000 from the corporate account to his personal account. I have all the vouchers.

And now, now I will call the police. Dad, thanks for trusting in me. I hope that you know what you do. 1 hour afterward, Richard called again. The police went to the company. Alexander was arrested red-handed. How did he react? First, he tried to deny it. Afterward, he said that you had authorized him. But when I showed that the transfer was made with the power of attorney of the company, he could not explain it. And now, now he will face charges for fraud and undue use of power of attorney.

He could pass years in prison. Valentina felt a mix of relief and sadness. The plan had functioned, but it was sad to see the person with whom she dreamed to build a family being arrested. Dad, can I go home now? You can. But Valentina, yes. You were very brave and very intelligent. You saved our family from a fraud that could be devastating. When Valentina arrived at home, she found Julian and Dylan waiting at the door. Valentina. We heard about what happened, said Julian.

And we want to apologize, said Dylan. We knew that it was wrong, but we didn’t have the courage of doing anything. And now, what do you want to do? We want to testify against him, said Julian. Tell all that we know about his plans. Why? Because it’s the correct thing, and because you showed a value that we didn’t have. Valentina invited them to enter. During two hours, they told everything that they knew about the plans of Alexander, his debts, the previous frauds.

Everything was recorded for being used as evidence in the trial. When they left, Valentina finally stayed alone. She sat on the sofa and cried, not of sadness, but of relief. She was free. 3 days afterward, Ramirez searched for her. As we agreed, I came for the payment of the debts. The debts of Alexander? Exact. You said that you would pay when you had proofs against him. It’s true, but now he is arrested. The debts already are not my responsibility.

Ramirez smiled. Girl, you are smarter than what I thought. How so? You used us for pressuring him. You got the proofs that you wanted and now you don’t have to pay anything. Exactly. That was it. Intelligent. Very intelligent. And you guys, what will you do now? Nothing. Alexander is prisoner. There is no way that he pays. We will consider the debt settled. How so settled? The spectacle that you assembled was worth more than any payment. The guy married thinking that he would become rich and ended in the jail.

It’s a lesson that never he will forget. Ramirez stood up to leave. Ah, and girl. Yes. If someday you want to work with us, search for me. You have talent for this. Thanks, but I pass. Two weeks afterward, Valentina went to visit Alexander at the jail. He was thin, dejected, very different from the secure man who had married with her. Why did you come? asked he to talk about what already you got what you wanted. You ruined me completely.

Alexander, you only ruined yourself. I only gave you the opportunity of showing who you were in reality. You knew it since the beginning, right? Since the day of the wedding. Alexander moved the head. How did you realize I heard you guys talking in the sacry? And why didn’t you confront me right there? Because I wanted to ensure that never more you would hurt anyone. And you achieved it. Congratulations, Alexander. Already you had scammed other families. You could have continued if I hadn’t done something.

And what each one defends himself as he can. That doesn’t justify ruining innocent lives. Alexander kept silence a moment. Valentina, did you ever love me? I loved the person that you faked to be, but that person never existed. And if I changed, if I tried to be better, Alexander, you had many opportunities of being honest. You chose to lie in all. Yes, I suppose that you have reason. When Valentina came out of the jail, she felt that she closed a chapter of her life forever.

6 months afterward, Alexander was condemned to 4 years of prison. Julian and Dylan testified against him, same as the victims of his previous scams. Valentina asked for the divorce and returned to use her maiden surname. She continued living in the apartment, but she redecorated everything, erasing any trace of that period. Sophia graduated in law and started to work in the office that helped to investigate Alexander. Richard expanded his businesses, more cautious, but also more secure after overcoming the attempt of fraud.

One year after the disastrous marriage, Valentina was in peace. She had learned to trust in her instincts and never she would let herself be carried only by the feelings. She was in the shopping mall taking coffee in the same food court where she met Alexander when a young man well-dressed tripped with her spilling the coffee. “Sorry, what a disaster,” said he with a charming smile. “Let me buy you another coffee.” Valentina looked at him, observed his rehearsed smile, his expensive clothes, but something worn, his quick look around as if searching for something.

It’s not necessary, responded she simply. I insist. It’s the minimum that I can do. No thanks, and Valentina went away, leaving the man alone in the food court, probably wondering why his tactic hadn’t functioned. She had learned to recognize the signals. 3 years afterward, Valentina met Martin, a veterinarian who took care of the pets of the employees of her father. Martin was simple, honest worker. He didn’t have much money, but he had something that Alexander never had, character.

They married in a small ceremony, only with the close family. Valentina used a simple dress. They bought the rings with the money that Martin had saved working the weekends. It wasn’t the dream wedding that she had planned with Alexander. It was better. It was real. Alexander was released after fulfilling two and a half years of sentence. He tried to search for Valentina, but she had changed number. She had moved from apartment. She didn’t want to see him.

She knew through third parties that he came out of the city. He tried to start again another place. She hoped sincerely that he had learned to be honest, but she knew that probably Alexander would continue being Alexander, and it was okay. Already, it wasn’t her problem. On the night of her second marriage, Martin took her hands and said to her, “Valentina, I promise to be always honest with you, even if it’s difficult, even if the truth hurts.

And I promise to trust in you, but also I promise not to return, to close the eyes before signals that something goes wrong. Deal. ” And this time, she believed him because this time it was for real.

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