Chapter 4 - The Boardroom War

Three weeks passed, and the Velasco mansion transformed from a silent prison into a place of warmth.

Mateo was thriving. He had gained weight, his skin was completely clear, and his laughter now echoed through the marble corridors, replacing the terrifying screams that had haunted the house for months. Under Sofía’s care, the baby had become active, curious, and deeply attached to her.

But while the nursery was a sanctuary, the world outside was in chaos.

Doña Leonor’s sudden "retirement" to Switzerland had sent shockwaves through the board of Velasco International. Several of the older board members, who had been loyal to Leonor and her late husband, saw her exile as a sign of weakness in Nicolás. They began to whisper about a coup, questioning his leadership and his ability to run the multi-billion-peso empire while distracted by his sick child.

"They are calling a vote of no confidence, Nicolás," Alejandro said, slamming a leather folder onto the desk in Nicolás’s private study. "The Serrano family is backing them. Valeria’s father is furious that the engagement was broken off. He’s using his shareholdings to force you out."

Nicolás sat behind his desk, his face calm, though his fingers tapped a slow, steady rhythm on the dark wood. "Let them try. The Serrano family needs our shipping lines more than we need their construction permits."

"It's not just the Serranos," Alejandro warned. "There are rumors that someone has been leaking information about Mateo’s illness to the press. They want to paint you as a distracted, unstable father who is unfit to run a security and shipping empire. If the media catches wind of the chemical poisoning, it will trigger a federal investigation into the family. The stock will plummet."

At that moment, the door to the study opened, and Sofía entered, carrying Mateo in her arms. The baby was babbling happily, playing with a small wooden rattle.

"Excuse me," Sofía said, stopping when she saw the tense atmosphere. "I can come back later."

"No, stay," Nicolás said, his expression softening the moment his eyes fell on her. He stood up and walked over to her, his hand naturally resting on her waist as he leaned down to kiss Mateo’s forehead. "We were just discussing some tedious business."

"It doesn't sound tedious," Sofía said, looking at the folders on the desk. "It sounds like a war."

"It is a war," Nicolás admitted, his eyes locking onto hers. "But it is one I intend to win. And I want you by my side when I do."

Sofía frowned. "What do you mean, Nicolás? I am a nurse. I don't belong in your boardrooms."

"You belong wherever I am," Nicolás said, his voice filled with a sudden, intense seriousness. "The board thinks I am weak because I am alone. They think Valeria and I are divided. Tonight, there is a private dinner with the major shareholders. I want you to attend with me. As my guest."

Sofía took a step back, her heart racing. "As your guest? Nicolás, your world is filled with people like Doña Leonor and the Serranos. They look at my faded uniform and see a servant. I will only be a liability to you."

"They will look at you and see the woman who saved the Velasco heir," Nicolás said, his voice firm and unyielding. "They will see a woman who has more courage in her little finger than all of them combined. I don't want a socialite, Sofía. I want you."

Valeria, who had just walked past the open door, stopped and looked into the room. She saw the way Nicolás looked at Sofía—with a raw, intense devotion that he had never shown to her during their entire engagement. She felt a brief, sharp pang of regret, but as she looked at her healthy, smiling son in Sofía’s arms, the regret melted into a deep sense of peace.

"She’s right, Sofía," Valeria said, stepping into the study. "You should go. The Serranos and the board need to see that we are not broken. And they need to see the woman who actually holds the power in this family now."

Sofía looked from Valeria to Nicolás, seeing the united front they were presenting. She looked down at Mateo, who let out a happy squeal and grabbed her collar.

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"Alright," Sofía said, a spark of her characteristic pride igniting in her eyes. "But if I’m going to a billionaire’s battle, I’m not wearing a faded uniform."

Nicolás smiled, a genuine, blinding smile that took years off his face. "Alejandro, call the designers. We have a queen to dress."