Chapter 6: The Boardroom Storm
While Elena remained in stable condition under the care of the country’s top pulmonologists, Mateo had unfinished business.
At 9:00 AM the following morning, Mateo walked into the Vance Holdings boardroom on the 50th floor. The long mahogany table was occupied by ten senior board members, including Arthur Pendelton, his late father’s former personal attorney and the firm's chief legal counsel.
Mateo took his seat at the head of the table. He didn't open his laptop or review the quarterly earnings report. Instead, he placed a manila folder in front of Pendelton.
"Open it, Arthur," Mateo said, his voice deadly quiet.
Pendelton, an aristocratic man in his late sixties with silver hair, opened the folder with a frown. Inside were copies of the non-disclosure threats, forged signatures, and bank transfer records dating back seven years—all detailing how Pendelton had used corporate funds to intimidate Elena Cruz out of Maine.
"Mateo... this is ancient history," Pendelton stammered, his face draining of color. "Your father was dying. The company was in the middle of a delicate restructuring. A scandalous out-of-wedlock child with a working-class woman would have collapsed our stock price! I did what was necessary to protect the legacy."
Mateo leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. The air in the boardroom turned arctic.
"You threatened the mother of my child. You left them to starve in tenement basements while you collected executive bonuses," Mateo said, his words measured and precise. "You didn't protect a legacy, Arthur. You committed corporate extortion and child endangerment."
Mateo signaled to the back of the room. The double doors opened, and two federal investigators alongside private security personnel entered.
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"You have five minutes to surrender your credentials, Arthur," Mateo stated cold-bloodedly. "And by noon, I am initiating a full forensic audit of your entire estate."
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