Chapter 3 - The Trap in Mexico City
By sunrise, the country house in Valle de Bravo was surrounded by six black armored vehicles. Eight elite security guards, dressed in tactical gear, patrolled the perimeter.
Inside, Dr. Sofia Morales, a soft-spoken pediatrician brought personally by Roberto Valenzuela, was gently examining the twins in the bedroom.
"They are severely malnourished, Alejandro," Dr. Morales explained as she stepped out into the hallway, wiping her hands with an antiseptic wipe. "They have mild anemia and parasite infections from drinking untreated water. But physically, they are strong. They are survivors."
"Can I take them to Mexico City safely?" Alejandro asked, standing beside Roberto in the hallway.
"With proper vitamins, hydration, and medical supervision, yes," the doctor confirmed. "They need stability more than anything right now."
Alejandro turned to Roberto, holding out the red notebook alongside the silver medal. "Did you read it?"
Roberto’s face was grim. He had spent the last two hours reviewing the handwritten entries, comparing them with financial audits from Rivas Construction over the past four years.
"If what Mercedes wrote here is true, Alejandro," Roberto said softly, "Mauricio and your mother didn't just commit fraud. They committed grand larceny, extortion, and potentially negligent homicide regarding Mariana’s treatment. But a diary alone won't hold up in criminal court without physical evidence."
"What kind of evidence?"
"We need the bank records from the offshore accounts where Mariana’s trust money was sent," Roberto explained. "And we need Elena—the friend in Michoacán who dropped the girls off. We need her testimony."
"I’ll find Elena," Alejandro said firmly. "In the meantime, my mother and Mauricio think I’m breaking down. They think I’m emotionally compromised over two abandoned children. We are going to use that."
"What are you planning?" Roberto asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My mother called an emergency board meeting of Rivas Enterprises for tomorrow morning at eleven," Alejandro revealed, a cold smile touching his lips. "She wants to use the board to declare me temporarily incapacitated so Mauricio can take over executive signing authority. She thinks I’ll be hiding here in the mountains crying."
Alejandro looked down the hallway at the open bedroom door. Luna was sitting on the big bed, holding a cup of warm milk with both hands, while Sol laughed as Dr. Morales showed her a soft plush teddy bear.
"We are going to that board meeting," Alejandro said quietly. "And we are bringing the heirs to the family empire."
Twenty-four hours later, the grand glass-and-steel skyscraper of Rivas Enterprises stood tall in the heart of Mexico City's financial district.
The 40th floor executive boardroom was filled with fifteen senior board members, dressed in expensive suits, chatting nervously. At the head of the long mahogany table sat Doña Victoria Rivas, wearing a black tailored suit, her demeanor calm and regal. Beside her stood Mauricio, shuffling a stack of legal documents.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Doña Victoria announced, raising her hand for silence. "As you know, my eldest son, Alejandro, has suffered unimaginable grief since the loss of dear Mariana. Unfortunately, that grief has turned into severe psychological distress. Over the weekend, he barricaded himself in Valle de Bravo, making irrational decisions that threaten the stability of our corporate reputation."
"She’s right," Mauricio added smoothly, stepping forward. "He has taken in two unidentified street children, refusing medical help or police intervention. For the safety of the company, we are proposing a temporary transfer of voting power to me until Alejandro undergoes medical evaluation."
The board members whispered among themselves. Some looked uncomfortable, but Doña Victoria’s influence in the city was formidable.
"Is there any opposition to the motion?" Doña Victoria asked, holding a gold pen ready to sign the board resolution.
"I have a very strong opposition," a voice echoed through the double oak doors at the back of the room.
The doors swung open.
Alejandro Rivas walked into the boardroom. He was dressed in a sharp, bespoke navy suit, looking impeccably groomed, imposing, and completely in control.
But it wasn't his appearance that caused every person in the room to gasp.
Walking on either side of him, holding his hands, were Luna and Sol. They were dressed in beautiful pale pink cotton dresses, their blonde curls neatly combed, wearing clean leather shoes.
Behind them walked two armed security officers and Roberto Valenzuela, carrying a thick leather briefcase.
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Doña Victoria’s face drained of color. She dropped her gold pen onto the table. "Alejandro... what is the meaning of this circus?"
"It’s not a circus, Mother," Alejandro said calmly, walking straight up to the center of the boardroom table. "It’s a family reunion."
