Chapter 6 - THE NEW QUEEN OF TISUFIThree weeks later, the corporate boardroom on the forty-second floor of the Atlántico Tower in downtown Toluca buzzed with nervous energy.
Twelve senior executives of Salgado & Associates sat around the massive glass conference table, whispering anxiously among themselves. Their founder and CEO was sitting in a maximum-security cell awaiting trial, their corporate accounts had been frozen and restructured, and rumor had it that the new mysterious owner was about to step inside the room for the very first time.
The heavy double oak doors swung open.
Every executive instantly straightened up in their chairs, holding their breath.
Elena walked into the room.
She wasn't wearing hospital gowns or mourning black anymore. She wore a sharp, tailored ivory pantsuit that commanded the entire space. Her left arm was finally free of the plaster cast, though she still wore a sleek silver support brace around her wrist. In her arms, fast asleep in a soft cashmere sling, was baby Julián, resting peacefully against her chest.
Behind her walked Adrián Cruz, acting quietly as her guardian and advisor, though everyone in the room knew who the real boss was.
Elena walked straight to the head of the long glass table, pulled out the high-backed leather executive chair—the very chair Víctor had occupied for five years—and sat down.
She placed her hands flat on the glass surface, looking slowly around the table at the men and women who had once ignored her existence or treated her like a trophy wife to be dismissed.
"Good morning, everyone," Elena said, her voice clear, calm, and carrying an effortless authority that instantly silenced the room.
No one spoke. No one dared to breathe too loudly.
"I am sure you are all wondering what is going to happen to this firm," Elena continued, leaning forward slightly. "You spent years watching Víctor Salgado cut corners, steal intellectual property, and step over anyone who stood in his way. Well, those days are officially over."
She picked up a slim silver tablet from the table and flicked her finger across the screen. Instantly, the massive wall-mounted projector behind her lit up, displaying a complete corporate restructuring plan titled: PROJECT PHOENIX: SALGADO ARCHITECTURAL REDEFINED.
"Starting today," Elena announced, her eyes sweeping across the stunned faces of the board members, "this company is being renamed Montiel-Cruz Engineering and Design. All illegal contracts signed under Víctor’s administration are being audited and canceled. We are returning to ethical, high-standard urban development. And for those of you who supported Víctor's unethical practices..."
She paused, letting the silence hang in the air like a guillotine blade.
"...your resignations are sitting on your seats right now. You may sign them and leave through the front elevators."
For three agonizing seconds, absolute stillness filled the room.
Then, Carlos Mendoza—the senior vice president who had offered condolences at the fake funeral—slowly raised his hand, slid a white envelope across the table toward Elena, stood up without a word, and walked quietly out of the boardroom.
Two other executives quickly followed his lead, packing their briefheads and retreating in utter humiliation.
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The remaining nine executives sat frozen, staring at Elena with a mixture of shock and deep, grudging respect. Slowly, one by one, they nodded in submission.
Elena had not just survived the cliff. She had inherited the kingdom.
