Chapter 5 - Justice and Retribution
The legal battle that followed was swift and devastating for the Salgado family.
Armed with the high-definition security footage of the physical assault, the audio recordings of the conspiracy, and the physical recovery of the five hundred stolen gold coins, the federal prosecutor built an airtight case.
Don Rogelio Salgado was charged with grand theft, domestic abuse, conspiracy, and assault with a deadly weapon. Because of the overwhelming evidence and his attempted attack on Renata during the raid, he was denied bail. Within three months, he was sentenced to fifteen years in a federal penitentiary. His stolen assets, including the estate and his offshore bank accounts, were seized by the state to pay for restitution.
Javier Salgado, despite his tears and pleas for mercy, was found guilty of complicity in grand theft and harboring stolen property. He was sentenced to five years in prison, his career and reputation in Guadalajara utterly destroyed.
Doña Teresa and Karla, though not criminally charged due to a lack of direct evidence linking them to the initial theft, were forced to move out of the seized estate. With no access to Rogelio's stolen millions, they were forced to rent a tiny, cramped apartment on the outskirts of the city, Karla finally learning how to do her own laundry.
For Renata, the victory was sweet, but the true prize was her freedom.
The Jalisco state court ruled that the five hundred gold Centenarios belonged entirely to Hector Aguilar's estate. As his sole remaining heir, Renata was awarded the entire fortune, valued at over twenty-five million pesos.
She stood in the offices of her marketing firm, looking out at the city she loved. She had resigned from her coordinator position to start her own independent marketing agency—an agency dedicated to helping female-owned businesses and startups across Mexico.
"You look peaceful, Renata," Sofia said, walking into her office with the final, signed divorce decree.
"I am, Sofia," Renata said, taking the document and looking at her signature. "I am finally free."
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"What are you going to do with the gold?" Sofia asked.
Renata smiled, a warm, genuine expression that reflected her inner peace. "I’m going to sell most of it. But I’m keeping one coin. To remind me of my grandfather. And to remind me of the day I found my own strength."
