“For months, all fifty of you have laughed behind my back,” I announced, looking around at the wealthy guests. “You mocked Mateo for sending his salary home to ‘three illegitimate children named Rachid, Moncho, and Lupita.'”
Teresa sneered. “Is there a point to this public embarrassment, Valeria?”
“The point, Mother,” I smiled coldly, “is that Rachid, Moncho, and Lupita are retired federal K-9 tactical police dogs who saved dozens of lives—including Mateo’s—while serving in the special operations service.”
A wave of shocked, embarrassed gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. Several factory owners looked down at the floor in sudden shame.
“And Mateo isn’t an uneducated servant,” I continued smoothly, clicking a remote control aimed at the ballroom’s massive presentation projector. “He is Corporal Mateo Salgado, decorated federal officer and lead investigator for the State Financial Crimes Unit.”
Chapter 4: The Public Downfall
The giant projector screen behind the stage flickered to life.
