Maria's Dad, Pedro de Valasquez, has finally had it with Paulo. Paulo always wanted things his way.
Twenty years ago, they robbed the Mexican Treasure from Don Carlos Vega. Money meant to help in the war. They moved the gold bars into the desert and hid them in a cave. Many people have searched for the "Mysterious Mexican Treasure", listening to the tales that have grown over the years. Don Carlos left Mexico city with the wagons of gold and was never seen again. What happened to him and the money is the subject of folk lore.
Paulo blames Pedro for not being able to find the hidden gold. The men had stolen the gold twenty years before and hid it in a cave when the army patrol got too close. Paulo has tried convince Pedro to return to the mountains and get the gold before too many more settlers moved into the territory. Since Pedro's money is dwindling, and he can't get his hands on Maria's trust funds, he has decided to chance the expedition into the desert to find the hidden treasure.
The men have searched for two days, but the map is old and many things have changed over the years. Paulo constantly berates Pedro for not coming sooner. They have discovered two caves, but no gold. The last cave was littered with the bones of a man. They can not be sure that this cave was not the one they used. Perhaps someone discovered the gold and lost his life for it.
Pedro yells at Paulo, telling him to leave and go search for the gold on his own. He can no longer take the constant bickering. Pedro will have to find a way to get his hands on Maria's trust funds or learn to live a very frugile life. Rosa is used to living like royalty and will not be happy with the change in their life.
