Todos los capítulos de Bought by the Devil CEO: Capítulo 41 - Capítulo 44

The consequences didn’t wait.They never did.By mid morning, the first call came not accusatory, not dramatic. Just an update delivered in a voice trained to sound neutral while carrying weight.“They’ve withdrawn provisional support,” Elena said, phone still in her hand. “No explanation. No appeal window.”Adrian didn’t react immediately. He read the message again, slower this time, as if repetition might change meaning.“That affects three divisions,” he said.“And eighty-seven employees,” Elena added. “Directly.”Silence followed not shock, not panic. Calculation.“This was the warning,” I said.“Yes,” Adrian replied. “Not the punishment.”The ripple spread quickly. A partner delayed signing. Another requested “clarification.” Meetings stayed polite but ended earlier than scheduled. Invitations that had once come automatically now required confirmation.“They’re watching who flinches,” Elena said.“And who stays,” Adrian added.By noon, a rumor surfaced not planted loudly, just fl

The call didn’t come from an institution.That was how I knew it mattered.Unknown number. No title. No formal greeting.“You don’t know me,” the voice said calmly. “But you should.”I didn’t respond.“I’m not with the committee,” he continued. “And I’m not interested in your partner’s position.”“Then why call?” I asked.“Because pressure creates opportunity,” he replied. “And you’re standing in the open.”I ended the call.Ten minutes later, an email arrived unencrypted, precise. A short file attached. No threats. No demands.Just information.It was old, buried, and irrelevant to the review legally harmless, reputationally volatile. Not false. Not damning.Human.“This isn’t institutional,” Elena said after one glance. “This is private leverage.”“Who?” Adrian asked.“Someone adjacent,” she replied. “Close enough to see. Far enough to deny.”The email came again, this time with a message.We should talk. Privately.“No,” Adrian said immediately.“Yes,” I replied.Elena looked betwe