haven

Chapter 5 - The Forged Title Deed

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Valeria clicked the gate microphone, her voice dripping with irritation. “Whoever you are, this is private property. We are in a period of family mourning. Leave immediately.”

The man in the charcoal suit looked directly up into the security camera.

“Mrs. Valeria Arismendi,” he announced in a resonant, uncompromising baritone. “I am Mateo Navarro, Senior Partner at Navarro & Associates, and Executor of the Estate of Neftalí Arismendi. I am accompanied by the Chief Bailiff of the First Civil Circuit and officers of the State Anti-Corruption Unit.”

Valeria’s stomach plummeted. She snapped her head toward Rodrigo.

“Mateo Navarro?” she hissed. “I thought you told me Neftalí’s legal counsel was that small-town accountant in Toluca!”

Rodrigo’s face lost its color. “Navarro is the top estate litigator in the capital. He handles commercial conglomerates... why would Neftalí hire him?”

“Open the gates, Mrs. Arismendi,” Attorney Navarro commanded through the speaker. “Or the federal marshals will execute a forced breach under Section 44 of the Emergency Judicial Injunction Act.”

Rodrigo grabbed Valeria’s wrist. “Stay calm! We have the notarized title deed right here on the table! Neftalí is dead—dead men don't testify! Let them in and let me handle the paperwork!”

Valeria pressed the gate release.

The heavy iron gates swung inward with a low mechanical rumble. The three black SUVs rolled up the gravel driveway, parking in a precise tactical line across the front courtyard.

Attorney Mateo Navarro stepped out, followed by two forensic document analysts and four uniformed judicial officers.

Valeria walked down the grand front steps, crossing her arms and forcing an expression of haughty indignation.

“Mr. Navarro, this is an outrageous violation of my privacy! My husband was buried barely forty-eight hours ago! How dare you bring police officers onto my estate!”

Mateo Navarro opened his leather portfolio, pulled out a court decree bearing the embossed seal of the Supreme Court of Justice, and held it three inches from Valeria’s nose.

May you like

“It is not your estate, Mrs. Arismendi,” Mateo stated with icy precision. “And according to the federal lis pendens order registered at 8:00 AM this morning, you are currently trespassing on property owned 100% by the Eulalia Arismendi Heritage Trust.”

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