The manager answered grimly.
“It was our only lifeline.”
Teresa glared at him.
“Shut your mouth!”
“No, Mrs. Alcantara. I’ve managed this property for fifteen years, and today I’m learning you secretly applied for a six-figure loan behind my back. If you planned to repay it with the Altavista contract, I should have known.”
“It’s none of your business!”
“It becomes my business if you expect me to sign off on manipulated accounting.”
Mariana suddenly burst into tears.
“Mom, tell me you didn’t use money for my wedding to cover the manor’s debts!”
“Everything I did was for this family!”
“Is my wedding venue even paid for?”
“Your wedding doesn’t matter right now!”
“An hour ago it was all you cared about!” Mariana shouted. “You told me Sofia would pay for everything because ‘that’s what rich daughters-in-law are for!’”
Silence fell again.
Then the family turned on itself.
