“She was lying to your father,” Patricia said, her hands shaking as she tried to smooth her skirt. “She was stealing. I was only trying to protect this family.”

“You were protecting your own pocket,” I said.

My father finally lowered his phone, but he did not turn off the screen.

He looked at Patricia as if she were a stranger.

“I gave you everything,” my father said, his voice deep and steady, yet carrying a dangerous edge.

“Emiliano, please,” Patricia said, taking a step toward him. “It isn’t what it looks like. Those videos are out of context.”

“You tried to frame my daughter,” my father said.

“No,” Patricia cried. “I was trying to teach her a lesson. She was being careless with her things.”

“And the wire transfer documents?” my father asked.

Patricia stopped.

Her eyes widened slightly.

“You didn’t think I would notice the missing files from the holding company?” my father asked.

“I didn’t take any money,” Patricia whispered.

“Not yet,” my father said. “But you tried to authorize a transfer of two million dollars to an offshore account in the Bahamas.”