Chapter 2 - THE MORNING OF DESPERATION
At 6:00 AM, the tropical sun rose over Guadalajara, casting a golden light over the agave fields of Jalisco. But inside Mateo’s mansion, the atmosphere was pitch black.
Mateo was awakened not by his alarm, but by his butler banging frantically on the bedroom door.
"Señor Mateo! Señor Mateo, please wake up! There are men outside!"
Mateo bolted up, rubbing his pounding head. "What the hell are you talking about? Tell them to leave!"
"We can't, sir! They are federal marshals and repo agents!"
Mateo threw on a silk robe and ran downstairs, Sofía trailing behind him in her silk pajamas, her face pale.
Standing in the courtyard were four men in dark suits accompanied by armed police officers and two heavy-duty flatbed tow trucks. One of the men held a clipboard and a legal folder stamped with the seal of the Federal Judiciary of Mexico.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Mateo roared, trying to maintain his authority. "Do you know who I am? I am Mateo San Tomás! I own this entire neighborhood!"
The lead agent didn't even flinch. "Correction, Señor San Tomás. You used to reside here. As of 12:01 AM today, the primary deed to this property was transferred back to the Don Tomás Holding Group due to default on inter-company mortgages. Furthermore, we are here to impound all vehicles registered under corporate ownership."
Before Mateo could respond, the winch on the tow truck whined as it began dragging his limited-edition Ferrari onto the flatbed.
"Stop! Stop them!" Sofía shrieked, running toward the tow truck driver. "That’s my car! Mateo, do something!"
Mateo grabbed his phone and dialed his mother’s direct number. The phone rang once, twice... then went straight to voicemail.
Panic, cold and sharp, pierced through his hangover. He called his CFO, Javier.
Javier picked up on the first ring, his voice trembling so hard he could barely speak. "Mateo... oh God, Mateo, where are you?"
"Javier! What is going on with my bank accounts?! Why are there federal agents at my house?!"
"Mateo, it’s a total bloodbath," Javier sobbed into the phone. "Your mother... Doña Elena signed an emergency executive decree at midnight. She removed you as CEO citing gross financial negligence and breach of fiduciary duty! She presented evidence of the $45 million unauthorized loan you signed!"
"She can't do that! I am the CEO!" Mateo screamed, his voice cracking.
"She owns 85% of the voting shares, Mateo!" Javier yelled back. "She completely froze the company’s operating accounts! The suppliers haven't been paid, the agave trucks coming from the highlands were turned around by armed security guards at dawn, and customs just seized six cargo ships carrying our export inventory at the port of Manzanillo!"
Mateo’s knees buckled. He fell to his knees on the cold marble floor where, just hours earlier, he had kicked his mother.
"What about the crypto tequila launch?" Mateo whispered, his sweat turning cold. "The investors... the launch party is in two days!"
"It’s dead, Mateo! The investors found out thirty minutes ago. The board triggered the clawback clause. You personally guaranteed that launch with your own assets! If you don't produce $45 million by 5:00 PM today, the creditors will file criminal charges for fraud!"
"Fraud?!" Mateo gasped. "She’s my mother! She wouldn't let them put me in prison!"
"She isn't answering anyone's calls, Mateo," Javier said softly. "Her secretary said Doña Elena left for the old estate in Tequila. She left one message for you."
"What message?!" Mateo begged, tears finally spilling from his eyes.
"She said: 'Tell the boy to use his thirty blows to pay his debts.'"
Sofía grabbed Mateo’s arm, her designer facade completely crumbling. "Mateo! Fix this! Tell them they can't take my jewelry! They're inside the bedroom taking my bags!"
Mateo looked at Sofía, then at the agents dragging his cars away, then at his phone. The reality hit him like a physical blow: he had no money, no title, no cars, no company, and no legal standing. Everything he was, everything he owned, was a gift from the woman he had beaten and humiliated twelve hours ago.
Desperate, trembling, and terrified, Mateo dialed his mother's private line again. This time, after ten excruciating rings, someone picked up.
"Mom! Mom, please!" Mateo cried into the phone, sobbing openly. "Mom, I'm sorry! Please, cancel the order! They’re taking everything! I’m completely ruined, Mom! Please, answer me!"
A calm, measured voice came through the speaker. It wasn't Doña Elena.
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It was Don Rodrigo.
"Señor Mateo," Rodrigo said coldly. "Doña Elena is currently busy inspecting the agave fields. She told me to inform you that the order cannot be canceled. In fact... the execution phase has just begun."
