Uninvited

A few days later, the boardroom of the Del Carmen Empire was cloaked in silence, the air heavy with anticipation. The long mahogany table gleamed under the lights, but the atmosphere was anything but polished.

At one end sat Ponce Natividad, his posture relaxed, his smile sharp, like a predator waiting for the kill. Beside him, Mr. Domingo adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable, though his eyes flickered with unease.

Across the table, Jaime sat stiff, his jaw tight, his gaze locked on Ponce. Celia was beside him, pale but composed, her hands folded tightly as if holding herself together. Santino leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his anger simmering just beneath the surface.

The room felt incomplete, a shadow of tension lingering over the empty seat that only Ainara knew belonged to Andres.

Ponce’s voice broke the silence, smooth and cutting. “Well, it seems the Del Carmen Empire is crumbling faster than I anticipated. Investors are nervous. Rumors are spreading. And unle