Chapter 4: The Poisoned Foundation
Chapter 4: The Poisoned Foundation
Armed with the historical records and the initial audit reports, Elena spent the following week working side-by-side with Julian in the foundation’s archives. The more they dug, the clearer Sofia’s corruption became. Over three million euros meant for children’s medical care had been funneled into shell companies registered in offshore accounts.
Victoria, realizing the walls were closing in on her mother, decided to strike back. She contacted a notorious tabloid journalist, offering him a fabricated story: that Elena had used illegal means and forged documents to trick an ailing Don Fernando into changing his will.
On Thursday evening, the foundation hosted its annual fundraising gala at the Ritz Hotel in Madrid. It was Elena’s official debut as the foundation's chairwoman.
The ballroom was filled with Madrid's elite, political figures, and international donors. Elena wore an elegant emerald dress, her dark hair styled simply, exuding grace and quiet dignity. Julian stood near her, a reassuring presence amidst the sea of critical eyes.
As Elena prepared to step up to the podium to give her opening address, Victoria appeared from the shadows of the balcony, holding a glass of champagne, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Enjoy your speech, little maid," Victoria whispered as she passed by Elena. "Let's see if your fake dignity survives tonight."
Unbeknownst to Elena, Victoria had swapped the flash drive containing Elena's speech slides with a compromised drive containing doctored photos and forged bank statements designed to frame Elena for embezzling foundation funds.
Elena walked up to the podium. The crowd applauded politely, though murmurs still echoed through the room.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Elena began, her voice clear and resonant. "Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate art and luxury, but to honor a promise made to the most vulnerable children of our city."
Behind her, the large projector screen flickered to life. Instead of the charity's financial breakdown, a slide appeared with bold red letters accusing Elena of offshore tax fraud, complete with fake wire receipts.
Gasps filled the ballroom. Flashbulbs went off as reporters surged forward.
Victoria stood in the back, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
Elena turned, seeing the damaging images projected on the wall. Her heart raced, but she remembered Julian's advice: Never let them see you panic when you hold the truth.
Before the media could turn the event into a riot, Julian stepped calmly toward the sound booth. He plugged his own encrypted laptop directly into the main system.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please direct your attention to the screen," Julian’s voice echoed through the loudspeakers.
With a click of a button, the fake documents were replaced by live, verified bank records from the Swiss Financial Authority, accompanied by signed receipts bearing Doña Sofia’s personal signature and Victoria's luxury credit card statements.
"What you saw seconds ago was an attempted digital sabotage," Julian announced firmly. "What you see now are the audited, forensic facts proving that three million euros were stolen from sick children over the past four years—not by Miss Elena, but by Doña Sofia De La Vega."
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The room erupted into chaos. Journalists turned their cameras from Elena to Doña Sofia and Victoria.
Sofia turned pale, clutching her pearl necklace as security guards stepped forward to block her exit. Victoria backed away in terror, her triumphant smile vanishing into absolute horror as she realized her mother’s crime was exposed in front of the entire country.
