The aftermath of the interrupted wedding left a suffocating silence in the Cruz estate gardens. Guests murmured in confusion, their whispers blending into a cacophony of uncertainty. Susan stood frozen at the altar, clutching her bouquet tightly, her face pale as Loiz's words echoed in her mind.
"You don't know the truth, Sanchez," Loiz had declared, a triumphant gleam in her eyes.
Sanchez turned to Susan, his expression torn between hurt and confusion. "Susan," he began softly, "what truth is she talking about?"
Susan's heart sank. She had always known that this day would come, but not like this—not with Loiz and Pedro pulling the strings. She swallowed hard, glancing at Sanchez, then at the gathered crowd.
"I..." she began, but her voice faltered.
Loiz smirked and took a step forward. "Oh, you're not going to tell him, are you? Allow me." She turned to Sanchez, her voice dripping with malice. "Did you know that your precious bride left you five years ago because she was pregnant? That she's been hiding your children all this time?"
Gasps erupted from the audience. Sanchez staggered back, his mind reeling. "Children?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked at Susan, his gaze demanding an explanation.
Susan's knees felt weak, but she steadied herself. "It's true," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I found out I was pregnant shortly after I left. I... I wanted to tell you, but—"
"But you didn't," Sanchez interrupted, his tone sharper now. "Why, Susan? Why would you keep something like this from me?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "Because I thought I was protecting you. You were grieving your family, and I didn't want to add to your pain. And then I didn't know how to come back... I didn't know how to face you."
The raw honesty in her voice struck Sanchez, but the betrayal he felt was overwhelming. Before he could respond, Pedro stepped forward, his voice calm and calculating.
"See, nephew?" Pedro said, addressing Sanchez but loud enough for everyone to hear. "Even those you trust the most have secrets. Perhaps it's time to question who truly has your best interests at heart."
"Enough!" Sanchez roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. He turned to Pedro, his expression thunderous. "You don't get to manipulate this moment. You think I don't see what you're doing? This isn't about the truth—it's about control."
Pedro raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk unfaltering. "I'm only here to support you, Sanchez. Family should stick together, after all."
Loiz seized the opportunity to speak again. "Support him? Please, Pedro. We both know you're just waiting for your chance to take over Cruz Oil. But don't forget, I have my own leverage."
"What are you talking about?" Sanchez demanded, his patience wearing thin.
Loiz's eyes glinted with triumph. "Pierre," she said simply, gesturing toward the man standing silently beside her. "He's the mastermind behind everything. Pedro and I have been working with him to... let's say, shift the balance of power in our favor."
The revelation sent a wave of shock through the crowd. Pierre stepped forward, his calm demeanor unnerving. "It's true," he admitted. "But let's not pretend this is a surprise, Sanchez. You've been a target for years. Your company, your wealth, your legacy—it's all too tempting to resist."
Sanchez's mind raced. He had always known Pedro and Loiz were threats, but Pierre's involvement added a new layer of complexity.
"Why reveal this now?" Sanchez asked, his voice low but steady.
Pierre smiled coldly. "Because it's too late for you to stop us. The groundwork has already been laid. This wedding was just the perfect stage for the final act."
Before anyone could react, Hedro appeared at the edge of the scene, his face pale but determined. "That's where you're wrong," he said, stepping forward. "I've been tracking your moves, Pierre. And I've already informed the authorities."
Pierre's confident expression flickered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "You're bluffing."
Hedro held up a phone. "Am I? The evidence is all here—your financial transactions, your meetings with Pedro and Loiz, even your plans to destabilize Cruz Oil. It's only a matter of time before this all catches up to you."
The tension in the air was electric. Loiz glanced at Pedro, her confidence wavering. Pedro, however, seemed unfazed. "This isn't over," he said, his voice a quiet threat.
Sanchez turned to Susan, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions. "We'll talk later," he said, his tone firm but not unkind.
Susan nodded, tears streaming down her face. She knew this was only the beginning.