Chapter 14 - SOFÍA'S COMPUTER
Sofía said she had not logged in.
Forensic technicians found remote-access software on her computer.
Installed four months earlier.
The installer account belonged to Arturo.
He had visited Sofía regularly after Efraín’s death.
“He helped me with bills,” Sofía said.
Mariana closed her eyes.
Arturo had spent years positioning himself near every weak door.
The remote access showed he copied payroll archives, vendor lists, and historical personnel records.
One file involved Gabriel Torres.
Another involved Isabel.
Arturo knew exactly who Gabriel’s daughter was long before Mariana did.
He had kept that information.
Waiting.
“For what?” Isabel asked.
Mariana knew.
“For leverage.”
Arturo had collected people’s pain the way other men collected watches.
But this time there was clear forensic evidence.
Unauthorized access.
Data theft.
Credential misuse.
His lawyer called it a misunderstanding.
Sofía gave a statement.
Then admitted something else.
She had given Arturo the password originally.
“He said he was helping with your father’s estate.”
Mariana felt anger rise.
Then stop.
How many times had she done the same thing?
Trusted convenience.
Signed quickly.
Delegated.
The family had built a culture where access followed relationships instead of controls.
Arturo exploited it.
He did not invent it.
Ana ordered a complete security overhaul.
Mariana’s own access was reduced.
She objected.
Ana raised an eyebrow.
“Would you like secure systems or emotional access privileges?”
Mariana hated her.
“I like secure systems.”
“Wonderful.”
Arturo was arrested two days later on unauthorized computer access and related financial charges.
The arrest happened outside his apartment.
No hotel lobby.
No dramatic dinner.
Camila watched the news alone.
Then called Mariana.
“He looks small.”
Mariana understood.
Power often depended on architecture.
The suit.
The lobby.
The table.
The people obeying.
Take those away and sometimes there was only a frightened man on a sidewalk.
Then Camila said:
“My doctor found something.”
Mariana’s stomach tightened.
“What?”
“The pregnancy is high-risk.”
She paused.
May you like
“And Arturo’s insurance canceled my coverage yesterday.”
