Chapter 4 - The 9:20 A.M. BlackoutThe next morning, the sun rose over Mexico City, casting a bright, golden light over the bustling streets. At the corporate headquarters of Ruta Norte Logística, the day began like any other. Trucks were dispatched, shipping manifests were cleared, and the hum of a multi-million-dollar operation filled the sleek, glass-walled office.
At 9:05 a.m., Alejandro walked through the front doors. He was wearing an expensive, tailored suit, carrying a leather briefcase, and sporting an air of quiet confidence. To the receptionists and junior staff, he smiled and nodded, playing the part of the powerful executive to perfection. He believed that despite the "melodrama" in the kitchen the night before, Mariana would eventually calm down. She always did. She was too professional, he reasoned, to let personal matters spill into the workplace.
He walked into his spacious corner office, which overlooked the skyline. He sat down in his leather chair, set his briefcase aside, and opened his laptop.
He typed in his password.
Error: Invalid Credentials.
Alejandro frowned. He typed it again, slower this time, making sure he didn't hit a wrong key.
Error: Account Disabled. Please contact your System Administrator.
"Stupid IT department," he muttered under his breath. He picked up his office phone to call the technical support desk.
"Hi, this is Alejandro. My system login isn't working. I need a password reset immediately."
There was a long, awkward pause on the other end of the line. The IT specialist’s voice was tense. "I’m sorry, Mr. Vance. We cannot perform a reset on your account. Your access has been locked by order of the executive office."
"What? That’s ridiculous. I am the VP of Operations! Unlock it now."
"I cannot do that, sir. You will have to speak with HR." The line went dead.
Alejandro felt a sudden, cold knot form in his stomach. He stood up, his heart beginning to beat a little faster. He walked out of his office and marched toward the Human Resources department on the fifth floor.
As he walked through the hallways, he noticed that the atmosphere had changed. The employees he passed didn't make eye contact. Some of them whispered to each other as soon as he went by. The typical morning chatter seemed to die down the moment he entered a room.
He pushed open the door to the HR Director's office. Inside sat Lorena, the head of HR, along with Valeria, the CFO, and two burly men in dark suits from corporate security.
"What is the meaning of this?" Alejandro demanded, trying to project authority. "My computer is locked. My staff is looking at me like I’m a criminal. Is this some kind of joke?"
Lorena didn't smile. She slid a thick, manila envelope across the desk toward him.
"It is no joke, Alejandro," Lorena said coldly. "As of 9:00 a.m. today, your employment with Ruta Norte Logística has been terminated for cause. You are no longer an employee, an officer, or a representative of this company."
Alejandro stared at the envelope. His hands began to shake. "You can't do this! I am Mariana’s husband! We are partners!"
"You are her husband," Valeria, the CFO, interrupted, her voice dripping with disdain. "But you are not a partner in this business. Mariana is the sole founder and majority shareholder. You were an employee. An employee who signed a contract that explicitly forbids behavior that brings reputational damage to this firm."
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Valeria pointed to a tablet on her desk, which was playing the video of Teresa ripping Mariana's clothes while Alejandro stood by, doing nothing.
"Your conduct, and your failure to protect the CEO of this company from harassment and property damage, constitutes a direct breach of your executive agreement," Valeria said. "Your company credit cards were deactivated at exactly 10:00 a.m. Your company-issued health insurance is cancelled. And as of right now, you are trespassing."
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