THE SUBSTITUTE HUSBAND BECAME HIS WIFE'S BOSS

CHAPTER 9

"Alright." Diego said finally, nodded.

Esperanza’s eyes brightened.  

 "Mr. Herrera, please also accept this." She slid a sleek black card across the mahogany surface."It's our family's supreme VIP card. Access to any of our businesses—hotels, restaurants, medical facilities—completely complimentary."

"I don't require—" Diego began.

"Please," Esperanza interrupted. Her voice softened in a way it rarely did, even in boardrooms. "I'm not offering this as payment. I'm hoping we can be friends. Give me this chance to show my appreciation properly." She paused, her gaze meeting his directly. 

Diego studied her face. After a long moment, he picked up the card. "Very well."

Ricardo beamed with relief. "Wonderful! And remember, Mr. Herrera, the Vega family owes you. Anything you need, anytime."

Meanwhile, across the city, Alejandro Morales strode into Isabella's house with the swagger of a man convinced of his own importance.

His expensive suit was perfectly pressed, his confidence radiating from every step.

"Isabella, mi amor!" he called out, finding her pacing anxiously in the living room. "I have incredible news!"

Isabella spun around, hope blazing in her eyes. "You spoke to Ricardo Vega? He's reconsidering the role?"

"Even better," Alejandro declared, pulling out a small ornate wooden box lined with red silk. "I've discovered why Vega suddenly canceled your contract."

"Why?" Isabella clutched his arm desperately.

"His daughter has been gravely ill—some rare condition that's had the family in crisis. That's why he couldn't focus on business dealings."

Carmen Rodriguez emerged from the kitchen, her face lighting up. "Oh, Alejandro! You've solved the mystery!"

"Indeed," Alejandro continued smugly. "But here's the brilliant part—I've acquired something that will guarantee Vega's cooperation."

He opened the ornate box with theatrical flair, revealing a thick, gnarled root with distinctive ridges and a rich, earthy aroma.

"Behold—genuine thousand-year ginseng root. Extremely rare, worth more than a luxury car. When Vega sees we've brought this for his daughter, he'll be so moved by our sincerity that he'll beg Isabella to take the role back."

Isabella gasped, touching the root reverently. "Alejandro, this must have cost a fortune! How did you manage to find such a treasure?"

"I have connections in the traditional medicine circles that most people only dream of," Alejandro said proudly.

"This came from a renowned herbalist in the mountains—he assured me it's authentic thousand-year ginseng. The texture, the color, the distinctive ridging pattern... it's everything the ancient texts describe."

Carmen clasped her hands together in delight. "This is perfect! What father wouldn't be grateful for such a precious gift for his sick child?"

"Exactly my thinking," Alejandro puffed up with pride. "We'll present this personally, show Vega that we truly care about his family's wellbeing."

What Alejandro didn't mention was that while the ginseng was indeed genuine and high-quality, it was actually closer to a hundred years old rather than a thousand.

He'd paid a substantial sum for it—five thousand dollars—convinced that the distinctive appearance and strong medicinal properties would be impressive enough that no one would question its exact age. 

"When do we go?" Isabella asked eagerly.

"Immediately. Strike while the iron is hot, as they say."

The three of them rushed to the Vega estate, their confidence sky-high. But when they arrived at the imposing gates, the security guard shook his head firmly.

"I'm sorry, but Mr. Vega isn't receiving visitors today," the guard informed them through the intercom.

"But we have something extremely important for his daughter!" Alejandro protested. "A rare thousand-year ginseng root that could help her condition!"

"I'll pass along your message, sir, but Mr. Vega gave strict instructions—"

"Please," Isabella leaned toward the intercom. "Just tell him Isabella Rodriguez and Alejandro Morales are here with genuine ancient ginseng for Miss Esperanza. He'll want to see this."

After a brief pause, the guard returned. "Mr. Vega appreciates the gesture but requests that you leave any items with security. He's unavailable for meetings."

Alejandro's face reddened with embarrassment, but he maintained his composure. "Of course, of course. A man in his position must be incredibly busy caring for his daughter."

He handed the ornate box to the guard with great ceremony. "Please ensure Mr. Vega understands this is genuine thousand-year ginseng—extremely rare and valuable. The ridging patterns and aroma alone prove its authenticity. Once he examines it, he'll recognize our sincere intentions and contact us directly."

"I'll make sure he receives it, sir."

As they drove away, Isabella squeezed Alejandro's hand. "Will it really work?" Somehow, she was kind of worried.

"Of course." Alejandro replied confidently. " The role will definitely be yours again, I guarantee it."

Later that evening, Isabella's phone rang. 

Carmen answered with breathless excitement.

"Isabella! You'll never believe what I just heard!" Carmen's voice was practically singing. "Maria Castellanos just called—Ricardo Vega's daughter has made a miraculous recovery! They're throwing a massive celebration banquet tonight!"

Isabella shot up from the couch. "She's recovered? Already?"

"Yes! And get this—they're inviting all the elite from business, politics, and entertainment! Maria says it's going to be the social event of the year!"

Alejandro's chest swelled with pride. "You see? The ginseng root worked faster than we could have hoped! Vega must be overwhelmed with gratitude to us. He'll surely give you back the role!"

"This is it," Isabella grinned. " Honey, this is exactly what I need!"

Isabella rushed to her closet to find the perfect dress, her heart soaring with anticipation. Finally, everything was falling into place. Diego's sabotage had been overcome, and Alejandro's wisdom had saved the day.

"We need to get ready immediately! This banquet will be our triumph!"

"I'll wear the red Valentino," she called to Alejandro. "The one that photographs so beautifully."

"Absolutely," Isabella agreed, her eyes shining with renewed hope. "Tonight, everyone will see that Isabella Rodriguez is back!"

As the trio began frantically preparing for the celebration, none of them realized that Esperanza had been cured hours before their ginseng root ever reached the Vega estate.

The genuine but misrepresented hundred-year ginseng—which Alejandro had purchased for five thousand dollars while believing it to be worth ten times that amount—sat unopened in Ricardo's study, already forgotten amid the genuine joy of his daughter's recovery.