“Knows about what?” the younger Rudy asked.

Rudy slid a manila envelope across the table. Inside were three photographs: frames from the Betamax tape. Vivian’s face, mid-accusation. Castellano’s hand, reaching for his jacket pocket. And a fourth image—one Vivian had never seen. A freeze-frame of the parking garage. In the background, just visible in the reflection of a car’s side mirror: a figure holding a gas can.

Rudy Fariñas, hailing from the powerful Fariñas political dynasty in Ilocos Norte, wielded significant influence. Critics and observers often noted the disparity in power between a politician and a former actress, which fueled public interest and sympathy for Velez.