The room fell into a respectful silence as Mercedes adjusted the microphone on the central stage.
Renata stood beside Santiago, holding her champagne glass high, her smile practically radiating victory. She leaned into Santiago’s ear and whispered, “Let the old lady have her two minutes of drama before we leave for Europe.”
Mercedes cleared her throat. Her voice echoed with the dignity of a woman who had built an empire from nothing.
“Good evening, everyone,” Mercedes began softly. “Today was supposed to be the day I handed over 2,400 million pesos—my late husband’s lifetime legacy—to the new couple. A trust fund to secure their future forever.”
Applause rippled through the Landa family’s table. Renata took a victorious sip of champagne.
“However,” Mercedes continued, her tone shifting to ice, “before I made that transfer, I wanted to ensure my son was marrying someone who truly valued our family. So, I prepared a short video to celebrate Renata’s… true feelings.”
The heavy curtains behind the stage parted, revealing the grand projector screen normally used for the couple’s childhood photos.
