They had had to give it to Carmen because she sometimes had to clean inside the safe when Isabel left jewelry out. On the day in question, he was away on business. Isabel was at the spa. Only Carmen was home. When Isabel returned that afternoon and wanted to wear the ring for a charity event, she discovered it was gone. García asked if he had confronted Carmen. Eduardo nodded gravely, saying that he had, and that Carmen had seemed evasive, nervous, and had immediately denied it in an overly defensive way, as someone guilty would.
Carmen could hear her heart sinking. The story sounded convincing because it had been carefully constructed, but it was full of lies. When it was her turn to cross-examine, Carmen stood up, her legs trembling. She didn’t know how the legal process worked, but she knew how to ask questions. She asked Eduardo if he was sure she was the only one home that day. Eduardo hesitated for a split second, so brief that perhaps only Carmen noticed. Then he said yes, he was sure. Carmen asked if her son, Javier, hadn’t been home.
Eduardo said Javier had been out of town all day. Carmen asked about the safe’s combination. Eduardo said only three people knew it. But Carmen remembered something. Years before, she had seen Javier open that safe. She told him so. García immediately stood up, objecting that this was speculation without evidence. The judge agreed, telling Carmen to stick to the facts, but something had changed in the courtroom, a tiny crack in the otherwise perfect narrative.
And Diego, sitting behind his mother, had heard everything. His breathing became even more labored. His hands gripped the piece of paper in his pocket so tightly they were hurting. The trial continued for two hours. García called other witnesses: Isabel Mendoza, who confirmed her husband’s version in an icy voice; a jewelry expert who testified to the ring’s value; and a private investigator the Mendozas had hired who had found no trace of the ring but maintained that Carmen’s behavior during questioning had been suspicious.
Carmen tried to defend herself as best she could, but without evidence, without her own witnesses, without legal experience. It was like fighting with her hands tied. Every objection was rejected. Every one of her questions was blocked by Mendoza’s lawyers. Judge Martínez seemed increasingly frustrated. He clearly wanted to be fair, but the facts seemed clear. The ring had disappeared. Only Carmen had access to it; there were no other explanations. Then García played his final card. He requested that the security camera footage from the villa be shown.
On the screen, Carmen appeared entering the master bedroom, remaining inside for 40 minutes. Leaving. García triumphantly emphasized. 40 minutes. Much longer than necessary to clean a room. What was she doing all that time? Are you enjoying this story? Leave a like and subscribe to the channel. Now, let’s continue with the video. Obviously, she was looking for valuables, opening drawers, rummaging through the safe. Carmen protested that she had also had to clean the master bathroom that day, change the sheets, and organize the closet—tasks that required time—but García continued to insinuate, painting the picture of a dishonest employee taking advantage of her employers’ trust.
The judge asked Carmen if she had any other evidence, any other witnesses. Carmen shook her head, tears beginning to fall. She had nothing, just her word against that of a millionaire. The judge was about to adjourn the session for closing arguments when something unexpected happened. Diego stood up, his voice trembling but clear. He said he had something to say. Everyone turned to look at him. The judge seemed surprised. García raised a skeptical eyebrow.
Eduardo Mendoza visibly stiffened. The judge asked who he was. Carmen said he was her son. The judge gently explained that children could not testify without being formally summoned. But Diego didn’t stop. In a louder voice, he said he knew where the ring was and who had taken it. The courtroom froze. There was complete silence. Carmen stared at her son in horror, not understanding what was happening. The judge, after a moment of hesitation, said he would listen to what the boy had to say, but that he needed to understand the gravity of testifying under oath.
continued on next page
For complete cooking times, go to the next page or click the Open button (>), and don't forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.
