Chapter 9 - THE SHADOW IN THE BOARDROOM
Forty-eight hours later.
The news of Lucía’s arrest and Hector Varela’s downfall sent shockwaves through the elite circles of San Pedro Garza García and the corporate corridors of Garza Security. Media outlets broadcasted the leaked pantry recordings, sparking widespread public outrage.
Despite the arrests, Daniel spent two restless days at the private hospital, ensuring Sofía received full medical care and psychological support for her injuries.
On Thursday morning, Daniel returned to the headquarters of Garza Security for an emergency board meeting. He walked with a heavy cane due to his knee injury, flanked by his new, independent legal counsel, Valeria Rios.
As Daniel walked into the glass-walled boardroom on the top floor, he expected a room full of relieved board members ready to rally behind him.
Instead, the atmosphere was thick with tense, suffocating silence.
At the head of the long oak table sat RODRIGO ALVARADO, the company's largest venture capital partner and a longtime political powerbroker in northern Mexico.
"Daniel," Rodrigo said flatly, not bothering to stand up. "We are relieved your children are safe. However... the scandal has decimated our stock value by thirty-two percent in forty-eight hours."
"The scandal was caused by my former lead counsel and my ex-wife committing fraud," Daniel replied, leaning heavily on his cane as he sat at the opposite end of the table. "They are in federal custody. The company's assets are secure."
Valeria set a thick binder on the table. "We have provided full documentation showing that Mr. Garza was the victim of an extortion and corporate espionage scheme."
Rodrigo leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "That may be true legally, Daniel. But reputationally? You left your firm and your home vulnerable for months. The board has lost confidence in your ability to maintain security—both personal and corporate."
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. "What are you proposing, Rodrigo?"
"An emergency vote," Rodrigo said, pulled a signed document from his suit pocket. "Under Clause 14 of the restructuring agreement—the very clause Hector Varela edited three months ago—the board has the right to suspend your executive powers if you are deemed involved in an ongoing federal investigation."
Daniel felt a sudden, icy realization wash over him. Lucía’s words in the hallway echoed in his mind: Hector wasn't the top of the chain.
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"You knew," Daniel breathed out, staring at Rodrigo. "You didn't just invest in the merger. You funded Hector's offshore accounts."
Rodrigo smiled faintly, a cold, empty expression. "Business is about risk management, Daniel. And right now, you are the risk."
