At 9:20, Rodrigo entered the Soumaya Museum with Ximena hanging on his arm.
Photographers fired dozens of flashes. He did not correct those who called Ximena “Mrs. Montemayor.” On the contrary, he pulled her up by the waist and posed as if she had already erased Mariana from her life.
Ofelia walked behind in a sequined dress. Paulina broadcast everything live.
“At last my brother is where he deserves,” he said to the camera.
A coordinator led them to table 1, right in front of the stage.
Rodrigo tried to hide his emotion. That table was reserved for the benefactor of the gala and the directors of Corporativo Cárdenas. That they had sat it there could only mean one thing: the mysterious heir had decided to make it their main partner.
Montemayor Capital had been about to disappear 3 times.
Each bailout had come through different funds, all secretly linked to Mariana.
She had paid for her father-in-law’s heart operation, covered 14 months of payroll, settled a debt from Ophelia and financed Paulina’s failed boutique. He never asked for applause. I just wanted to know if that family could respect her without knowing her fortune.
The answer had been to leave her scrubbing dishes.
Under the table, Ximena stroked Rodrigo’s leg.
“When they announce the investment, we make our own official,” he whispered.
“Tomorrow I take the divorce papers,” he replied.
Ophelia listened and took champagne.
Mariana will sign. You give him 1 small apartment and he’s going happy. That woman has nowhere to go back.
Arturo, Rodrigo’s father, looked down.
“They shouldn’t treat her like that.
“You don’t get in,” Ophelia cut. We did enough for her.
None noticed that the transmission microphones were open. In the technical booth, Tomás Cárdenas, legal director of the corporate and cousin of Mariana, kept the recording.
At 9:45, the lights went out.
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The driver announced a US$900 million fund for rural clinics, social housing and clean water projects. Then he asked for silence.
“For years, the person behind this fund stayed away from the cameras to meet those who were approaching without interest. Tonight he decided to introduce himself.
Rodrigo settled in the sack.
On the screen appeared the golden emblem of Corporate Cardenas.
“We receive its president, heiress and majority shareholder: Mariana Cárdenas de Montemayor.
The doors of the upper level opened.
Mariana appeared at the beginning of the staircase.
The green dress fell on it like a dark wave. The emerald necklace reflected the lights of the living room and 3 escorts remained behind.
The silence was absolute.
Rodrigo suddenly got up and threw a drink. Ximena let go of her arm. Ophelia was left with her mouth open and Paulina lowered the phone, although thousands of people were still connected.
“It can’t be,” Rodrigo murmured.
Mariana came down without looking at him. When he reached the last step, the entire room stood up.
