Ricardo raised his glass. “And Alejandro can rest after his service. Some men are built for orders. Others are built to command.”
The guests chuckled.
I waited until the sound died.
“Before the toast,” I said, “I have one correction.”
Mother frowned. “Alejandro, not now.”
“Now is exactly right.”
The front door opened. Grace Lin entered with two federal agents and a court officer. Dr. Patel followed, carrying a sealed folder. The room went silent so fast the chandelier seemed loud.
Ricardo’s face drained. “What is this?”
“The end,” Elena said.
Her voice shook, but she stood.
Grace placed documents on the table. “A temporary restraining order has frozen all asset transfers involving this household, Mendoza Development, and Ricardo Mercer Holdings. We also have probable cause for forgery, coercion, assault, extortion, and financial fraud.”
Mother’s smile twitched. “This is absurd. Elena signed everything.”
I touched a remote. The wall screen lit up with their own security footage: Mother cornering Elena in the hallway, Ricardo shoving documents against her chest, Elena crying, Ricardo grabbing her arm, Mother saying clearly, “Sign it, or Alejandro comes home to nothing.”
Gasps broke across the room.
Ricardo lunged for the remote, but an agent blocked him.
“You recorded us?” he spat.
“No,” I said. “You did. Your smart home system backs up to a cloud account registered under my name.”
Mother whispered, “Alejandro, we are family.”
