PART 1

“If you don’t know how to act at a business dinner, maybe you should sit with the staff.”

The slap came so suddenly that even the waiter froze with the wine bottle in his hand.

Inside the private dining room of an elegant restaurant in Polanco, every conversation stopped. Investors, executives, and their wives stared at Renata Salcedo as the sting spread across her cheek.

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The woman who had hit her was Valeria Duarte, her husband Rodrigo Ibarra’s personal assistant.

Valeria stood there in a silver dress and expensive heels, smiling like she had finally claimed her place.

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“No one taught you manners, did they?” Valeria said loudly. “Rodrigo needs support, not a wife who embarrasses him.”

Renata slowly turned her face back.

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Her cheek burned, but her eyes stayed calm.

At the head of the table, Rodrigo went pale. Not because his assistant had humiliated his wife in front of important investors, but because Renata stood up.

“Renata,” he whispered. “Don’t.”

She looked at him.

“Don’t what?”

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Rodrigo had no answer.

Valeria laughed softly.

“See? You don’t even know when to stay quiet.”

Renata wore a simple black dress, pearls, and her hair pinned neatly back. She had never tried to compete with Valeria’s flashy style. That was why Rodrigo had mistaken her silence for weakness.

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Valeria expected tears.

Rodrigo expected Renata to swallow the insult, just like she had done many times before.

Instead, Renata took one step forward and slapped Valeria back.

The sound cracked through the room.

Valeria stumbled, pressing a hand to her face. Rodrigo shot to his feet.

“Are you insane?” he snapped.

Renata ignored Valeria and looked only at him.

“What an interesting question,” she said. “Would you like to ask it again after I properly introduce myself?”

The table went still.

Everyone knew Renata carried the Salcedo name, an old and powerful  family name in business circles. But most of them did not know the full truth.

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Renata was not just Rodrigo’s quiet wife.

She chaired the family trust committee that had kept Grupo Ibarra’s debt alive for four years.

Rodrigo knew that.

His financial director knew that.