Chapter 6 - THE ENEMY INSIDE MY FATHER’S EMPIRE
The name on the document burned into my mind.
Daniel Torres.
My father’s most trusted executive.
My godfather’s son.
A man who had worked beside my family for fifteen years.
“No.”
The word left my mouth before I realized I said it.
My father didn’t react.
That scared me.
Because Arturo Mendoza was not a man who showed fear easily.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded.
“The evidence points to him.”
I shook my head.
“Daniel wouldn’t do this.”
My father looked at me.
“That’s what makes betrayal dangerous.”
I hated that he was right.
Daniel was the person who helped me understand the company.
When I joined the investment committee, he was patient.
He never treated me like the owner’s daughter.
He treated me like someone who had earned her seat.
Or at least, I thought he did.
My father opened another file.
“Three months ago, Daniel approved unusual access requests.”
“For Camila?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“That’s what we need to find out.”
I looked at the documents.
There was something strange.
Too organized.
Too clean.
Almost like someone wanted us to find it.
“This feels wrong.”
My father looked at me.
“Explain.”
“Daniel is smart.”
“Yes.”
“If he was stealing from us, he wouldn’t leave a trail this obvious.”
My father was quiet.
Then he smiled slightly.
“There’s my daughter.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“You’re not emotional anymore.”
I looked back at the files.
I understood.
Someone wanted me angry.
Someone wanted me focused on Daniel.
Which meant…
Daniel might not be the real target.
That afternoon, I called him.
“Daniel, can we talk?”
His voice sounded normal.
“Of course, Valeria.”
“Tonight.”
A pause.
“Is something wrong?”
I looked out the window.
“Maybe.”
Another pause.
Then:
“I’ll be there.”
We met at a quiet restaurant.
Daniel arrived exactly on time.
Same calm expression.
Same professional smile.
“Valeria.”
I watched him sit down.
“How long have you worked for my father?”
“Fifteen years.”
“Did you ever betray him?”
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But I noticed.
“That’s a strange question.”
“Answer it.”
He looked at me.
“No.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
Then I placed the file on the table.
His expression disappeared.
Not shock.
Recognition.
That was enough.
“You know what this is.”
Daniel slowly leaned back.
“Where did you get that?”
Not:
“What is this?”
Not:
“I don’t understand.”
Where did you get that?
My stomach tightened.
“You tell me.”
He looked away.
“Valeria…”
“Why did you help Camila?”
Silence.
Then he whispered:
“I didn’t.”
I studied him.
“Then why are you afraid?”
His eyes returned to mine.
And for the first time in fifteen years…
I saw something I had never seen before.
Guilt.
“Your father is in danger.”
I froze.
“What?”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“You think this is about money.”
“Isn’t it?”
“No.”
“Then what is it about?”
He looked around.
“Your family.”
I felt cold.
“What do you mean?”
“Someone wants Grupo Vanguardia.”
I laughed once.
“That’s not exactly a secret.”
“No.”
His voice became serious.
“Someone wants it from the inside.”
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
My father.
I picked up.
“Dad?”
His voice was different.
Urgent.
“Valeria, leave that restaurant.”
I stood immediately.
“Why?”
A pause.
Then:
“Because Daniel Torres was found unconscious twenty minutes ago.”
My blood froze.
I looked across the table.
The chair was empty.
Daniel was gone.
And on the table in front of me…
was a note.
Three words.
May you like
Written by hand.
STOP TRUSTING YOUR FATHER.
