Chapter 5 - The Backlash of the Elite
By the following morning, the news of the incident had exploded across Mexico.
The initial headlines, which had falsely accused a "young street criminal" of attempting to kidnap the Santillán heir, were replaced by explosive investigative reports. The video from the park had been leaked to the media by an anonymous source within the police department, and the entire nation watched in horror as the elegant Renata Robles left a child to die.
The social fallout for the Robles family was instantaneous. The stock of the Robles Group plummeted to near zero within two hours of the market opening. High-society figures who had attended galas with Renata weeks prior suddenly deleted all photos with her from their social media accounts.
Inside his office at the Santillán Tower, Alejandro sat across from his legal team.
"The Robles lawyers are begging for a settlement, Alejandro," his chief counsel, Roberto Ramos, explained. "They are offering to give up all claims to the coastal resort partnership if you drop the criminal charges against Renata. Her father is desperate. He knows that if this goes to trial, their family name is permanently finished."
Alejandro stood up, walking to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the sprawling expanse of Mexico City. "Tell them no."
"Alejandro, the legal battle will be messy. They will try to drag your name through the mud, claim you were neglectful—"
"Let them try," Alejandro interrupted, his eyes hard as flint. "They tried to murder my son for a trust fund. I want the maximum sentence for Renata, and I want a full forensic audit of the Robles Group. I want them completely bankrupt by the time this is over. They will not have a single peso left to protect themselves."
The door to the office opened, and Mateo walked in, holding Lupita's hand. The two children had become inseparable over the last two days. Mateo’s color had returned, and Lupita was walking much better, wearing a pair of brand-new, comfortable sneakers that Alejandro had bought her.
"Papa," Mateo said, pulling Lupita toward the desk. "Lupita says she has never seen the ocean. Can she come with us to the hotel in Puerto Vallarta next week?"
Alejandro’s stern expression instantly melted into a warm smile as he looked down at the two children. "Of course she can, Mateo. Lupita and her grandmother are coming with us on every vacation from now on."
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Lupita looked down at her new shoes, still struggling to understand this new reality. "Mr. Alejandro? Do I really not have to sell marzipan anymore?"
Alejandro walked over, kneeling down to her level once again. "No, Lupita. Your only job now is to go to school, play, and be a child. That is my promise to you."
