Chapter 7 - Theresa’s Desperate Attempt to Hide the Stolen Millions
While Gabriel and I were finalizing our strategy, Theresa Salgado was frantically pacing the floor of the private banking wing at Wells Fargo in uptown Dallas.
She slammed her platinum corporate debit card onto the counter in front of the branch vice president, David Miller.
“What do you mean the transaction is declined?!” Theresa hissed, keeping her voice low so the other wealthy patrons wouldn't hear. “I am transferring twenty-five million dollars to our offshore holding account in the Cayman Islands! Process it immediately!”
David Miller looked uncomfortable, adjusting his tie with sweating fingers. “Mrs. Salgado, I can’t override this. A federal trust freeze was placed on all Salgado Holdings master accounts two hours ago by Sterling, Cross & Blackwell.”
“I am the Vice Chairwoman of the Board!”
“Not according to this court order, ma’am,” Miller replied, turning the computer monitor toward her. “Your signature authority was revoked at 08:30 AM under the Don Mateo Heritage Trust provisions. If I attempt to execute this transfer, I will be personally liable for aiding federal money laundering.”
Theresa’s chest heaved. “Money laundering?! How dare you!”
“Mrs. Salgado,” Miller said in a low, warning tone. “The forensic auditors are already reviewing the last five years of corporate expense logs. They've flagged over fourteen million dollars in unauthorized withdrawals transferred to an account under the name of Marisol Vega. If I were you, I would hire a criminal defense attorney immediately.”
Theresa grabbed her handbag and practically ran out of the bank.
She got into the back of her chauffeured Mercedes, her hands shaking violently as she dialed Alex.
“Alex! Where are you?!”
“I’m in the lobby of Salgado Tower,” Alex answered, his voice filled with panic. “Mother, none of the keycards are working! Security won’t let me into the executive elevator! They’re saying the locks were changed at dawn!”
“That peasant girl is trying to take our life’s work!” Theresa screamed into the phone. “Call the media! Call the Dallas Morning News! Tell them Valerie Hernandez is an unstable gold-digger holding our company hostage! We fight this in the press!”
“Mother, look up at the news tickers,” Alex muttered, his voice sounding hollow and dead.
Theresa looked out the tinted window of her car toward the digital billboard in the center of the business district.
Across the giant screen, breaking news was flashing in bold red letters:
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BREAKING: SALGADO HOLDINGS BOARD VOTES TO SUSPEND CEO ALEX SALGADO AMID MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FORENSIC AUDIT. SOLE HEIRESS IDENTIFIED AS FIVE-YEAR-OLD MARITAL DAUGHTER LUCY SALGADO.
Theresa dropped her phone onto the leather seat, the screen cracking under the weight of her diamond rings.
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