Chapter 16 - The Boundary Drawn
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The silence in the study stretched on for an uncomfortable minute. The rain beat against the windows, highlighting the stark tension between them.
"Beatrice," Roberto began, his voice dangerously calm. "Your daughter actively conspired to defraud my company, ruin my reputation, and ultimately, she attempted to steal my daughter’s inheritance to fund her escape with Arthur. And you want me to write a letter of recommendation for her?"
Beatrice looked up, a desperate, defensive fire igniting in her eyes.
"She made mistakes, Roberto! She was manipulated by Arthur! You know how persuasive he can be."
"Vanessa is an adult who made calculated, malicious decisions," Roberto countered sharply. "She wasn't manipulated; she was a willing participant in a criminal enterprise."
"She is my daughter!" Beatrice cried out, her composure finally breaking.
"And Sofía is mine," Roberto stated, leaning forward, resting his hands flat on the desk. "Vanessa was willing to sacrifice Sofía's future to save herself. I will not lift a single finger to reduce her sentence. She earned every day of it."
Beatrice stood up abruptly, her face flushed with anger and humiliation.
"You are a vindictive, cruel man, Roberto Santos."
"No, Beatrice," Roberto replied softly, standing up to meet her gaze. "I am a father protecting his home. You should leave now."
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Beatrice glared at him for a long moment before turning on her heel and marching out of the study.
When the door clicked shut, Roberto let out a long, shuddering breath. He felt no guilt, no lingering doubt. He had drawn the boundary, and for the first time in his life, he had defended his peace without hesitation.
