Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO LOST EVERYTHING
Mateo's empire began collapsing on a Monday morning.
The company's largest lender suspended negotiations after discovering irregularities in several financial statements.
Two board members resigned.
A major client canceled a contract.
Then the trustees filed a civil action seeking to recover assets transferred through unauthorized documents.
Mateo called Alejandro.
"I know you're behind this."
Alejandro answered from his office.
"I'm behind an investigation into disputed transactions. If the transfers were legitimate, your lawyers can prove it."
"You've wanted to destroy me since the day our partnership ended."
"No, Mateo. I wanted you to stop lying about why it ended."
Mateo laughed angrily.
"You think you're better than me because you have more money?"
"No. I think the difference between us is that I know money doesn't make someone untouchable."
"You're using Camila to get revenge."
Alejandro's voice hardened.
"Camila called me while she was lying injured on the floor. I didn't know about your financial transfers when I answered. I didn't know about the forged documents. I simply heard someone asking for help."
He paused.
"You should think about that."
Mateo hung up.
For several minutes, he sat alone in his office.
He remembered the night at the club.
He remembered the music, the champagne, Valeria laughing beside him.
He remembered the phone lighting up.
Seventeen calls.
He had once believed that Camila would forgive him anything because she loved him.
That belief had been the foundation of his arrogance.
Now she had hired lawyers, protected her inheritance, and refused to let him control their child's future.
He had lost the woman who had defended him when nobody else would.
He had endangered his own son.
And the man he hated most had become the person Camila trusted.
That afternoon, Mateo attempted to visit Gabriel.
The hospital denied unscheduled access because the child's medical team had restricted visitors during his recovery.
Mateo argued.
He threatened lawsuits.
He demanded to see the hospital director.
Nothing changed.
When Camila learned what had happened, she instructed Elena to arrange a formal process for discussing parental access once the doctors approved it.
She didn't want Mateo's access determined by anger.
She wanted it determined by Gabriel's welfare and the applicable law.
Mateo received the letter that evening.
He read it three times.
It didn't insult him.
It didn't accuse him.
It simply explained that future arrangements would require cooperation, medical guidance, and appropriate safeguards.
For some reason, the calm language made him angrier than any insult could have.
He called Valeria.
She didn't answer.
He sent messages.
She blocked him.
He contacted Bruno's lawyer and demanded to know what Bruno had told investigators.
The lawyer refused to discuss the matter.
Then Mateo's own attorney delivered the final blow.
"The board has voted to suspend your executive authority while the financial investigation continues."
Mateo stared at him.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm afraid they are."
"This is my company."
"Some of it is. Other assets are disputed. Your position is no longer secure."
Mateo stood abruptly.
"Who takes over?"
The attorney hesitated.
"A temporary administrator will be appointed."
"By whom?"
"The board and the relevant creditors, subject to the court's orders."
Mateo looked out over the city.
For years, he had used wealth to measure his importance.
He had bought houses to impress people.
He had worn watches that cost more than some employees earned in a year.
He had treated loyalty as something that could be purchased and love as something that could be demanded.
Now the company he had built was slipping beyond his control.
His marriage was ending.
His mistress had abandoned him.
His former best friend had no reason to help him.
And his son was growing up in a world where the first thing he might learn about his father was that his mother had called seventeen times for help.
Mateo lowered himself into his chair.
For the first time, he had no one to blame in the room.
Then his phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
"Mr. Mateo," a woman said, "I'm calling regarding the staircase incident. We have evidence you need to see."
He sat upright.
"What evidence?"
"A witness statement and a photograph that have not yet been made public."
"Who are you?"
The woman ignored the question.
"If you want to know what really happened that night, meet me tomorrow at noon."
The call ended.
Mateo stared at his phone.
For one dangerous moment, hope returned.
Perhaps someone could prove he hadn't caused the fall.
Perhaps the investigation would clear him.
Perhaps he could still salvage his reputation.
May you like
He didn't realize that the woman had already sent the same invitation to Camila.
And that the photograph she intended to reveal would change the entire story.
