Chapter 2 — The Red Envelope
Back inside the dining room, Evangelina tapped her glass.
"Now... our family has prepared a special announcement."
The room applauded politely.
She smiled proudly.
"Tonight, Alonso will officially become president of Ibarra Holdings."
Guests cheered.
Champagne corks popped.
At that exact moment, Alonso's assistant rushed into the room, pale as paper.
"Sir..."
Alonso glared.
"Not now."
"It can't wait."
The young man leaned close and whispered.
"The briefcase..."
Alonso froze.
"What about it?"
"The red envelope is gone."
Silence.
His eyes widened.
"No..."
He ran toward the coat room.
The leather briefcase remained exactly where he'd left it.
Locked.
Untouched.
He opened it anyway.
Every contract remained inside.
Every financial report...
Every signature...
Except one.
The red envelope.
It had vanished.
Inside that envelope were copies of shell-company agreements...
forged signatures...
hidden offshore transfers...
May you like
and a notarized authorization bearing Renata's forged name.
The one document capable of destroying everything.
