Chapter 5 - The Snake in the Glass TowerTwo days later. Mexico City.
The executive board room on the 40th floor of the Ortega Global Headquarters was wrapped in floor-to-ceiling glass, offering a sweeping view of the metropolis below.
Sitting on one side of the massive mahogany conference table was Beatriz Salgado and her attorney, Oscar Mendoza.
Beatriz had spent her remaining cash to hire a high-end celebrity stylist and buy an off-the-rack designer outfit, trying desperately to project an aura of untouchable power. Beside her, Oscar Mendoza—a slick man with oily hair, custom gold cufflinks, and a smug grin—confidently stacked a pile of legal files on the table.
Sitting across from them was Valeria.
She was alone. No lawyers. No security guards. Just a single leather folder sitting in front of her.
"Where is my son?" Beatriz demanded, crossing her legs haughtily. "Is he too ashamed to face his mother after allowing his little low-class wife to throw us out into the street?"
"Mauricio is where he belongs," Valeria said flatly. "Fixing the mess you made. Let’s cut the theater, Oscar. You tried to execute an unauthorized $850,000 transfer from my reserve account two days ago."
Oscar Mendoza let out a sleek, rehearsed chuckle.
"My dear Valeria," Oscar said smoothly, waving his hand dismissively. "Let’s not use uncivilized terms like 'unauthorized.' We were simply liquidating preliminary assets in anticipation of the inevitable corporate restructuring. Under Article 14-B of the founding charter you signed five years ago, my client, Señora Beatriz Salgado, holds irrevocable board oversight rights linked to Mauricio’s marital share."
He slid a thick document across the polished table.
"As we speak," Oscar continued, leaning forward with an predatory smile, "Beatriz is filing for full administrative execution of those rights. You have two choices today, Valeria. Option A: You quietly hand over 50% of the equity, transfer the Polanco penthouse back into her name, and settle this out of court. Option B: We file this in federal court tomorrow morning. The media will love the story—'Self-Made Female CEO Fraudulently Deprives In-Laws of Promised Company Stake.' Your stock value will plunge fifty percent overnight."
Beatriz leaned back, taking a slow sip of bottled water, looking at Valeria like a cat watching a cornered mouse.
"You thought you were so clever, didn't you, girl?" Beatriz sneered, her voice dripping with pure malice. "You thought because you built a little company, you were equal to us. You thought your country-bumpkin parents could sit at my table. You are nothing without the Salgado name. Now, give me what’s mine, or I will destroy every single thing you’ve ever touched."
Valeria didn't panic. She didn't flinch. She didn't even raise her voice.
Instead, she slowly opened her leather folder, pulled out three crisp, white documents, and slid them across the table toward Oscar Mendoza.
"Option C," Valeria said softly.
Oscar chuckled patronizingly, picking up the top document. "Option C doesn't exist, my dear—"
His voice cut off instantly.
The color drained from Oscar’s face so fast it looked as if he had been struck by lightning. His eyes darted frantically across the legal seals at the bottom of the page.
"What is that?" Beatriz demanded, her smug grin faltering. "Oscar, what is that paper? Tell her to sign the transfer!"
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Oscar’s hands began to shake uncontrollably. "Valeria... where... where did you get this?"
"That," Valeria said, looking directly into Oscar’s terrified eyes, "is a certified copy of the 2021 Anti-Fraud Corporate Audit Amendment."
