The Wife Who Held the Empire Together

Episode 1

### Chapter 1 — The Price of a Shrimp

In the business world, everyone knew Helena Alencar.

Some called her the most influential woman in finance. Others said she had the cold precision of a machine, capable of predicting crises before they even happened. In only seven years, she had turned Alencar Capital Global into one of the largest investment firms in the world, managing billions and deciding the fate of corporate giants with a single signature.

But few people knew that the ruthless CEO had one very simple rule for dealing with the people around her.

Every action had a consequence.

That night, the Monteserra family hosted a lavish dinner to celebrate the signing of an international contract. The press was there, along with business leaders, shareholders, and important figures from the market.

At the center of the ballroom, Dante Monteserra accepted congratulations and posed for photos. As the heir to the group, he was treated as the great star of the night.

Beside him, wearing an elegant pale dress, stood Livia Navarro, the company's new intern.

Helena watched the scene while speaking with several foreign investors. She didn't mind her husband mentoring promising employees. In fact, she admired leaders who helped their subordinates grow.

The problem was that, over the past few months, Dante had been crossing certain lines.

And she had already noticed.

"Ms. Alencar, it's always a pleasure to see you," an Italian businessman greeted her. "The Monteserra Group was very lucky when it joined forces with the Alencar family."

She smiled politely.

"Solid partnerships are built by committed people."

Before the conversation could continue, a stir caught her attention.

A waiter approached Livia with a tray piled with grilled shrimp.

The young woman made a small pout.

"Oh... I love shrimp, but I hate peeling them. I always ruin my nails."

Dante smiled.

"Then don't peel them."

She tilted her head, feigning innocence.

"And how am I supposed to eat them?"

Without a second thought, in front of dozens of guests, he picked up a shrimp, carefully removed the shell, and placed the clean meat on her plate.

Livia broke into an exaggerated smile.

"President Monteserra, your wife is going to be upset."

He gave a low laugh.

"Helena doesn't waste time on that kind of thing."

Some people nearby found the scene funny. Others traded discreet looks.

Beatriz Monteserra, Dante's mother, lowered her head, visibly embarrassed.

Helena only watched.

Her expression didn't change. She didn't raise her voice. She didn't make a scene.

She simply walked calmly to the head table.

"Darling."

Dante turned his face.

"Helena? Did something happen?"

She gave him an impeccable smile.

"Of course not. Actually, I just had a wonderful idea."

Before he could ask anything, Helena signaled to the event's master of ceremonies.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have just one minute of your attention?"

The entire ballroom fell silent.

As one of the group's principal investors, Helena was respected by everyone. Even the journalists turned their cameras toward her.

She picked up a glass of champagne and spoke calmly.

"The Monteserra family has always valued dedication and care for others. Today, my husband just reminded me of that with a very beautiful gesture."

Dante frowned, not understanding.

Helena continued.

"President Monteserra showed us that no job is too small when it comes to serving well. For that reason, we've decided to turn tonight into a charitable action for Fundacao Esperanca Azul, the Blue Hope Foundation, which serves hundreds of underprivileged children."

The guests began to applaud.

Dante smiled awkwardly, assuming his wife was merely announcing some donation.

Then Helena snapped her fingers.

Two catering staff members entered the ballroom, pushing a stainless-steel cart.

On top of it sat an enormous insulated cooler.

The chef opened the lid.

Five kilos of fresh shrimp.

Dante's smile vanished.

Helena looked at the chef.

"How many servings will be prepared for the foundation tomorrow?"

"Approximately one hundred and fifty, Ms. Alencar."

She nodded.

"Perfect. My husband just showed that he has a special talent for this. I'm sure he'll be happy to prepare everything personally."

The ballroom plunged into absolute silence.

Dante's eyes widened.

"Helena... what are you talking about?"

She tilted her head, as if surprised.

"Weren't you peeling shrimp with such dedication? I thought you enjoyed this kind of activity."

A timid laugh escaped from somewhere in the ballroom.

Livia went pale.

"Ms. Alencar, I... I can explain..."

Helena finally turned her eyes to the intern.

"Explain what? A president helping an employee? I thought the gesture was extremely kind. And kindness deserves to be encouraged."

Then she turned to the photographers.

"Capture this moment. The president of the Monteserra Group will carry out a charitable act tonight."

The flashes started firing.

Dante tried to maintain his composure.

"This is ridiculous."

Helena stepped closer and lowered her voice just enough for him to hear.

"Ridiculous is turning your intern into a source of mockery for your wife in front of hundreds of guests. Now smile. Everyone is watching."

Then she resumed her cordial tone.

"Darling, please. The children are counting on you."

There was no way out.

If he refused, he would look selfish at an event surrounded by the press. If he accepted, he would be humiliated.

Under the watchful eyes of business leaders, journalists, and shareholders, Dante took off his suit jacket, rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt, and sat down before the table prepared by the caterer.

The chef set the first tray of shrimp in front of him.

The flashes grew even more intense.

Livia tried to come closer, but Beatriz caught her by the arm.

"Stay out of it."

The older woman looked at her daughter-in-law, and for the first time in many years, a sincere smile appeared on her face.

As Dante peeled shrimp after shrimp, Helena returned to the international investors as if nothing extraordinary were happening.

One of them, an old French businessman, approached her and asked in a low voice,

"Ms. Alencar... is this also part of Alencar Capital's business strategy?"

She brought the glass to her lips without even looking back.

"No. This is part of his education."

That night, the heir to the Monteserra Group peeled five kilos of shrimp in front of all of high society.

And without realizing it, he had just made the first mistake that would lead him to lose not only his marriage...