Chapter 83

When I entered the assembly, all the shareholders and the heads of all divisions were present. Feeling flustered, I glanced at the papers Belladona had handed me. As I opened them, I found a passport with my name, a check with enough money to survive for a long time if I managed it well, and the scholarship documents for one of the best universities in Siberia. This was everyone's dream. Even for me, it was a golden opportunity. Suddenly, everyone rose from their seats to welcome the CEO.
“Good morning, everyone. Today, I will be the one leading this meeting,” he said eloquently.
“Do you know why I’ve called this meeting?”
“In my opinion, having so many meetings is excessive when there are so many problems in the company,” said the head of international affairs.
“So many problems stemming from the same place, but that will end today. I’m not here to tell you what the problems are—I’m here to expose the rats in this company.” Surprised, one of the shareholders responded indignantly.
“Rats in this company? I find it insulting to accuse without prior evidence.”
“These are not suspicions, but it’s clear there are some rotten apples. Or would you prefer I call it embezzlement?” César remarked, spinning his pen with mastery and a calculated coldness.
“I demand proof before making accusations out of thin air.”
“I haven’t named anyone or revealed anything yet. What’s troubling you, Mr. Mancuso?”
“N-no, it’s not concern, Mr. César. I just think that to address the issue, we need to focus on what’s truly important.”
“Like, for example, the amount of money being pocketed by the man who made the deal with The Valle company,” I said angrily, recalling how many people had been affected by their greed.
“What did you just say, you ignorant little girl? And why is this woman even here?”
“I may be ignorant, but the facts are clear… If you have nothing to hide, why don’t you let the facts be presented?”
“What could you possibly know? You’re just the CEO’s errand girl, and who knows what else you do!”
“You are mistaken, Mancuso. If I’m still letting you speak, it’s because I want to hear what you have to say. But do not address my wife like that again.” Everyone fell silent, staring at César, who quietly sat down, waiting for anyone to say even the smallest thing. I felt Belladona’s sharp gaze on me. Quickly, I stood and broke the tension by saying,
“I know what you did to those honest workers!”
“My apologies, young lady… I didn’t imagine you were so important. It was only a matter of time before you used that face to deceive the CEO. My deepest condolences, Miss Belladona. Are you family? Because the resemblance is almost scandalous,” he said, laughing and looking at me with disdain.
“Respect me, Mancuso. I am a woman of name and a good family. This woman is not even remotely like me. We will talk later, César. This has been a disgrace.”
“Do you have anything to say, Mancuso?” César said, ignoring Belladona’s comment.
“Excuse me? What am I supposed to say?”
“I’m asking before your name comes up in this matter.”
“My name? What kind of ridiculous witch hunt is this? Are you letting yourself be influenced by that woman’s ramblings?” César slammed his fist on the table and stood up.
“Do you think I’m stupid, Mancuso? I’ve been watching you since you were the direct competitor of this company when my father was at the helm. And when you came crawling to be a shareholder, I accepted you to keep my enemy close—not because I wanted a friendship. And now that I know what you’ve been doing behind my back, haven’t I made the best decision?”
The man, red with anger, glared at those present and blurted out, “These are baseless accusations. I demand proof, or I will ask for an immediate retraction.”
“Shall I talk about how you colluded with the head of finance to embezzle money from the fruit suppliers? How much do you pay those poor men?” César asked. The two exchanged glances but remained silent.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out? You’re so stupid you didn’t even bother to buy the silence of The Valle’s idiotic manager. That’s how stingy you are.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“No… don’t say anything; you don’t need to because you are no longer part of this company. And anyone who dirts their hands with that money will also leave my company.” Mancuso rose furiously and, heading for the exit, snapped,
“I won’t let myself be treated like a damned thief after everything I’ve done for this place. Since your father’s death, you’ve done nothing but make this place worse.”
“Don’t you dare speak my family’s name with your filthy mouth, you dirty rat!” César shouted, throwing the pen he had been nervously spinning at Mancuso’s face. The man let out a cry as he fell to the ground.
“Get him out of here.” I looked at César, who seemed deeply shaken by that comment. Worried, I glanced at him, only to see Belladona rushing toward César.
“César, are you alright? You need to calm down; this incident could greatly harm the company.”
“That filthy rat… I will never let him speak of my father like that,” he said, his voice trembling. Belladona placed a hand on his shoulder, and an unpleasant knot twisted in my stomach. I left the room, averting my eyes from the scene. I didn’t want these feelings, but it was clear—I was jealous. Now, I needed to focus on my grandfather.