Emiliano Montez wasn't one to rush his clue. He had planned everything today personally, setting the mood for both a casual and ultimately distressing evening. The cuisines, the snacks and the wines served were Spanish and Scottish. Everything, scrupulously planned.
He demanded quietness at the table and he wasn't going to discuss business at it. Neither was he going to allow two daredevils called kids at his table, much to Sofía's irritation. He'd had them sent away to the nursery and instructed a maid not to let them out until he was done with business.
If the maid lasted the entire evening with them, she would earn his esteemed respect and a bonus for the trouble.
Esly barked from under Isla's seat and Emiliano's sharp eyes cut to her. Isla offered an awkward smile and bent to scratch Esly's head. "Go. Go play outside."
With its tail wagging in excitement, Esly ran outside. Isabella slipped her gadget under the table and pulled up a chat — DGUTH the ID read. It'd been Grumpzilla at first — when he'd sent that text asking if she was done going through the contract — and then Bossy Boots when they started working together.
The night she'd pulled the box of notes, she'd found herself thinking about his words downstairs and grabbing her phone, she'd quickly changed the ID to DGUTH. DON'T GET USE TO HIM.
Keeping an eye out for Emiliano, her fingers moved over the keypad slowly.
Isabella: Hey. Did you see the video? Any idea what's going on?
She glanced up quickly. He was giving instructions to the head servant. She typed again.
Isabella: I mean, why is Mateo saying things in my favor?
She placed the phone back on the table just as Emiliano turned back to them.
*Phew. Right on time. I'll excuse myself to the restroom later and check for his reply.*
Isabellla's gaze swept over the table again. The knot in her stomach tightened. Something was wrong or about to happen. She could sense it. She'd been told the family would be here, what she didn't expect were the board members present.
They'd arrived twenty minutes before dinner. Together. Like it was all staged. Guapo, Head of Corporate communications, was among them. He was rather quiet today and seemed to be avoiding her gaze. There was no sign of Octavio either. That, too, unsettled her. Everyone knew Emiliano hated tardiness.
Like he was conjured, Octavio walked into the dining and behind him... Isabellla's Jaw dropped. She blinked, hard.
"Lizzy?"
Octavio winked at her, that lopsided smile that gave her bad chills on his face. It didn't get to her this time, she couldn't take her eyes off Elizabeth — her assistant. Her stomach twisted and she struggled to stay calm as Elizabeth walked over to Emiliano, handing over some documents. The fact that she couldn't meet her eyes confirmed it, *this* was all a set-up.
*I should've come prepared. I should've known. Father suddenly inviting us all to dinner? With my scandal just blowing over that's a disaster cooking. And OCTOPUS looks too damn pleased for my liking. Coming in late and all, WITH Elizabeth?*
Elizabeth took a seat beside her and leaned in. "I'm sorry, I couldn't say—"
"What's going on?" Isabella asked, interrupting.
Elizabeth opened her lips to speak but Emiliano's voice rang out. Clear. Authoritative. "Let's eat."
The table went silent, the clatter of fork and knife on plate taking over conversations. Isabella scooped some Patatas bravas onto her plate but ended up picking at it with her fork. She was too on edge. Her stomach too twisted with tension and anxiety.
Fiona, who was sitting to her left, placed a hand over hers. Isabellla's hand jerked under hers even though her body stayed taut. Composed.
"Try to eat," Fiona encouraged. "You haven't had anything tangible since afternoon. We'll worry about what's going on later."
"Fiona," Emiliano called.
"Don't speak to me like I'm a child, Emiliano," Fiona shot back.
Emiliano cleared his throat and went back to eating. Isabella nearly smiled. Fiona was probably the only one that could challenge Emiliano, call him by his given name defiantly and not be slapped down.
Maybe because she was the Head of International Relations. Whatever the reason, Isabella had always wished she had more backbone like her. Always wished her own mother was more daring like her.
Isabella sighed. She hated it when she remembered her mother with such resentment. She'd fought for that four years freedom she had in college. Gave up her shares just to give her that.
Isabella pushed her seat back slowly and stood. Excusing herself, she walked away from the dining, not missing the way Octavio's eyes followed her. But she wasn't thinking of him. If she was walking into a warzone, she needed to fortify herself, starting with figuring out what exactly was going on with Mateo.
Entering the restroom, she bolted the door behind her. She unlocked her phone. One lonely tick stared back at her.
*Hasn't even reached him.*
Her fingers twitched.
*Where the hell are you, Harry?*
Isabella: Did someone REALLY pay him to sabotage me? Why?
One tick. Isabella groaned.
*Where in hell is he when I need him?*
"I should get back," she murmured under her breath.
*Mateo confessed, so technically, this didn't happen because I was being wild. Someone is behind this. Public opinion is changing. Still a few people that think I paid him off, but that doesn't hold much power. This should be enough arguing power, right?*
Walking back into the dining, she ignored the gaze. Elizabeth caught her eyes and gave her an apologetic smile. She sat and didn't even bother to fake interest in her plate. If she could fast-forward this entire eating charade, she would.
Once the food was cleared and the chardonnay passed around, Emiliano leaned back.
"Montez Corporation has been around for over sixty years," he began. The room fell silent. Every conversation ceased. "Built by my father but turned into an empire by me. *I* made sure of that."
Rodrigo fiddled with his suit jacket and Isabella tensed. Fiona scoffed by her side while the others hummed in agreement.
"You didn't achieve that alone, Emiliano," Fiona pointed out. "Did you call us here to sing your praise?"
"I'm getting to my point, Fiona. Please, don't interrupt."
Fiona lifted her wine glass, swirled it under her nose, sipped slowly. "Fair."
"In those years, Montez corporation have earned a reputation. The name Montez *is* business. We started with constructions and have blended it with new sectors, new technology, without sacrificing the name or what it stands for. We'll *never* sacrifice it. This past year, everything has been declining." He met Isabella's eyes now, gave her points for not looking away. She always had. "It's time to decant."
Isabella's hands twisted in her lap as he continued.
"Changes are necessary, and for the good of the corporation, changes will be made. The next sixty years is built on actions of today. Isabella."
She straightened up. "Sí, yes," she amended, recalling that he preferred English at his table. "Yes, Father."
"You'll return to work," he announced.
Isabella frowned. "I'm on leave, Father. I'm not supposed to be back for the next six months."
"Since you clearly have enough time to cause scandals, you'll now have plenty of it to be useful. *You'll* get back to work."
Isabella pressed her lips together, her dress bunching in her hands. Emiliano gestured and Elizabeth hurried over to him. Taking the document he stretched out, she brought it over to Isabella. She took it without protest.
"That's the official document of your transfer. The Head of construction and development division will be expecting you in his office Monday."
Isabella flipped through the document frantically and froze when she saw it. Title: Executive Director of Strategy and Development. New title: Project Lead – Construction Division.
She stared at the new title, unable to wrap her head around the massive drop in authority, prestige and comfort.
*A punishment disguised as a realignment of priorities.*
Fiona snatched up the document, her eyes scanning through it quickly. "Project Lead, construction division," she read, the incredulity of it apparent in her voice.
Isla, who had earlier been amused, gasped. The smirk on Octavio's lips stayed put. Rodrigo looked concerned. Elizabeth's head lowered and Sofía looked like a fish out of water. The board members looked bored, like this was old news.
"What does this mean?" Fiona leaned in, her voice low but steel. "That division is blue-collar, on-site and male-dominated. Isabella carries the name. You can't demote her this low. *She is* your heir."
"My heir is who *I* say is my heir."
Isabella spoke, her voice almost drowned in the room. "I slaved three years for that position."
"And threw it away in a night. It's still a position, kid — I didn't fire or suspend you."
"I didn't throw it away. It was all obviously a set up."
"One that still affected the corporation negatively," Emiliano pointed out. "Mrs. Delgado."
Mrs. Delgado, the Chief Financial Officer, barely looked up from her tablet — figures always mattered more than people. "Miss. Montez, you held a high-level corporate leadership position, involved in Montez Corporation's strategic vision, expansion planning and public partnerships. This position placed you on the executive board, overseeing high-value projects, brand image and international growth. Which—"
"We all know that Elvira, get to the point," Fiona seethed.
"Mama," Isla called, concerned. Fiona gave her a look that shut her up.
"Let her speak Fiona, you'll have your turn," Emiliano interjected. "Mrs. Delgado, go on, please."
She cleared her throat. "Which gave you, Miss. Montez, a lot of visibility and influence. And unfortunately, made your scandal even more damaging. We—"
"Y'all sat back and did NOTHING to help erase the scandal and now, you complain about it?"
Mrs. Delgado flinched under Fiona's hard glare. Emiliano's palms slapped down hard on the table making everyone but her jump. "You're in my house, Fiona and I'll have to ask you to leave the next time you interrupt," he warned.
Fiona raised her chin defiantly and was about to speak, but a hand on her arm stopped her. Looking down, Isabella shook her head at her. Fiona took her seat, took Isabella's hand in both of hers. Isla glared at the gesture.
"We experienced a 32% drop in positive sentiment within 48 hours after the incident," Mrs. Delgado continued. "Particularly across investors and professional networks. Key investors paused engagements, with one pulling out of the luxury real estate collaboration in Valencia. 87% of Montez's brand mentions during the week of the scandal referenced Miss. Montez directly. That exposure had no promotional benefit and detracted from our launch in Marbella."
Fiona scoffed. "All these appears objective but they're subjective, and are no grounds for a major demotion. Especially one done without involving the major board members."
*She wasn't kept in the loop. Of course. They knew she would speak up against the motion. Sway other board members decision.*
"We conducted a private confidence assessment with department heads. 68% recommended a temporary reassignment to neutralize damage. This recommendation was later approved by majority board vote."
"I'm a department head and part of the board, I heard nothing," Fiona shot back.
"Because the majority was in support of the reassignment, Fiona," Emiliano answered.
"Oh please, you mean—"
"I'll do it," Isabella chipped in before Fiona could finish her statement.
"Isabella," Fiona's voice rang.
"She's as cool as ever," Octavio muttered with admiration.
"More like scavenging what little face she has left," Isla, who was sitting to Octavio's right and had heard him said.
"Project Lead, Construction Division, is not a punishment. It's a platform to demonstrate resilience and loyalty," Mr. Solares, Chief Operating Officer, spoke up.
"You'll handle the logistics and execution of a major hotel project, the files will be transferred to you," Emiliano informed. "Secure that contract, execute it with finesse and I just might give you back your old title. Meanwhile, Octavio will become the new Executive director of strategy and development. Isla, you'll take over Octavio's old role as the Director of Regional Development and Partnerships."
"Why do I keep filling their seat? I became head of the Fashion sector because Isabella was promoted and now, I'm filling Octavio's seat? Worse, I'll be reporting to him?" Isla whined.
"Sales and Quota in your sector are steadily declining, do you think you're fit to be promoted?" Fiona shot at her daughter.
"Mama!"
"I didn't raise you to be incompetent and spoiled, Isla and you'll act like it!"
A chair scraped loudly on the dining floor and all eyes turned as Isabella stood. Without a word, she walked out of the dining.