Chapter 4 - THE INVOICE WITH RODRIGO’S NAME
Renata waited until Rodrigo returned home that evening.
He entered after midnight with Valeria walking behind him.
Valeria carried his laptop and two folders.
She stopped when she saw Renata in the living room.
“I didn’t realize you were awake.”
“I live here.”
Rodrigo loosened his tie.
“We were finalizing the investor presentation.”
Renata looked at the folders.
“Does the presentation include Orion Advisory?”
Valeria’s expression did not change.
Rodrigo’s did.
“What is Orion?”
“A company that received almost nine million dollars from Grupo Ibarra.”
Valeria stepped forward.
“That’s a confidential vendor.”
“You registered it.”
Silence filled the room.
Rodrigo turned toward Valeria.
“Is that true?”
“Orion coordinates outside consultants.”
“Why is your address on the filing?”
“I used my home during the formation process. It was temporary.”
Renata placed an invoice on the table.
It billed Grupo Ibarra $640,000 for investor relationship development.
The approval line carried Rodrigo’s electronic signature.
“Did you authorize this?” Renata asked.
Rodrigo studied the document.
“I sign hundreds of approvals.”
“That was not my question.”
Valeria placed the laptop down.
“Rodrigo delegated operational approval to me.”
“His signature is not your operational tool.”
“You don’t understand how quickly this company moves.”
Renata looked at her.
“I understand exactly how money moves.”
Rodrigo rubbed his forehead.
“Can we discuss this tomorrow?”
“The trust committee meets in nine days.”
“And if they don’t approve?”
“The financing stops.”
Valeria laughed softly.
“You wouldn’t destroy your husband’s company over administrative fees.”
Renata turned toward Rodrigo.
“Is that what you told her?”
He avoided her eyes.
“Renata, we are under enormous pressure.”
“Pressure does not create nine million dollars in fake invoices.”
“You don’t know they’re fake.”
“Then give Daniel Shaw every contract, email, and bank statement by morning.”
Valeria folded her arms.
“That could expose confidential investor strategy.”
“It is a condition of financing.”
Rodrigo stepped between them.
“I will handle it.”
Renata’s voice became quiet.
“That answer is why the trust needs documents instead of promises.”
She went upstairs.
Behind her, Valeria whispered, “She wants control.”
Rodrigo did not defend his wife.
He answered, “Just give me time.”
Renata stopped on the staircase.
Time for what?
To explain the payments?
May you like
Or to hide them?
👉 Rodrigo claimed he did not know how his signature reached the invoices, but his request for time suggested Valeria was not acting entirely alone.
