Friday. 10:00 A.M. Rivera Tower, Executive Floor. Boardroom Alpha.
The Rivera boardroom was a masterwork of quiet power—onyx walls, velvet soundproofing and a long glass table that reflected not only faces but also ambition. Seated around it were the remaining members of Rivera Couture's core board, senior shareholders, brand directors, and a legal observer from the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Cameras from the in-house media team rolled silently behind a tinted panel—ready to document the historic transition.
Chairwoman Beatrice Sanglay stood at the head, lips pressed together. She glanced at her Rolex.
"We'll begin. As acting Chair of this emergency session, I am calling this meeting to order. On the agenda: succession ratification, estate implications, and brand leadership moving forward."
Murmurs rippled as Liam Rivera entered in a sleek charcoal suit—no tie, just sharp lines and unshakable posture. He nodded respectfully, but not submissively.
He was flanked by Elisa Rivera, calm and calculated in a dove-gray pantsuit, and Matteo Rivera, unbothered in a sand-colored blazer, exuding quiet threat.
Atty. Ma. Rosario de Guia took her seat beside the legal observer. A thick folder labeled Last Will and Testament: Arnulfo R. Rivera rested on her lap.
"Let's begin with the elephant in the room," said Mr. Caluya, the same combative shareholder from Thursday. "Mr. Liam Rivera—are we truly legitimizing his position when we haven't even validated his inheritance?"
A pause.
De Guia stood. Her voice was crisp.
"If the board will allow, I will now read the final will of the late Arnulfo Rivera."
Silence dropped like velvet.
The Will Unsealed
"I, Arnulfo R. Rivera, being of sound mind and in full faculties, do declare this my final will…to my children—Elisa Rivera, Matteo Rivera and Liam Andres Rivera—I divide my estate in accordance with the Family Code of the Philippines and its amendments.
It is to be noted that Liam Andres Rivera is hereby recognized as my legitimate child, following the final and irrevocable annulment of my marriage to my first wife in 2002, and my acknowledgment of paternity through public acts and written declarations.
He holds equal rights under law to succession, representation, and ownership."
Gasps fluttered around the room.
Caluya leaned forward. "So the rumors… they're true."
Elisa stiffened. Matteo smirked but said nothing.
De Guia continued.
"To Elisa Rivera and Matteo Rivera, you shall retain your current shares and entitlements.
To Liam Andres Rivera, you are designated as acting CEO for a transition period of six months, after which the board shall vote whether to confirm you.
Rivera Creative Holdings is to be developed under the equal cooperation of all three heirs, provided no legal dispute arises during the transition."
She closed the folder.
"This will is notarized, uncontested at present, and fully executable."
The Vote
Chairwoman Beatrice tapped her pen lightly.
"Now to the vote of confidence. Board members only. Liam, kindly step outside."
Liam nodded and left the room. Matteo and Elisa followed. Outside, the press had gathered near the building—waiting.
Liam leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets.
"So… you're legitimate now," Matteo muttered.
Liam looked at him. "Does it change how you see me?"
"No. You're still not Arnulfo."
Elisa stepped in. "We need to stop ripping each other apart. If the board doesn't confirm you today, Rivera Couture will spiral. Investors are already nervous."
Liam glanced at her, surprised.
"You sound like you actually want me to win."
She shrugged. "I want the company to win. And right now, you're the only one who has a plan."
Inside the Room
The board murmured, debated. The vote was held via secret ballot. Chairwoman Beatrice counted, then stood slowly.
She opened the door.
"Mr. Liam Rivera… please come in."
Liam stepped inside. The room was tense.
Beatrice gave a small smile.
"By a vote of six to three, the board has confirmed you as Interim CEO for the remainder of the transition period. Full confirmation will follow upon completion of performance targets in six months. Congratulations."
Applause. Sparse but genuine.
Liam exhaled. His jaw tensed. The storm had not passed—but for now, he was in the captain's seat.
Beatrice leaned close. "You have the title. Now earn the legacy."
Friday. 2:00 P.M. Rivera Tower, Legal Affairs Office.
Ricci Dawnielle Yulo-Rivera stood silently by the arched window of the Legal Affairs wing, her eyes trailing the city skyline that stretched beyond Rivera Tower's marbled silhouette. The faint clink of a coffee spoon against porcelain was the only sound in the room. On the mahogany table behind her lay another folder—one not read in the boardroom earlier.
This one bore her name.
Property Claim: Liam Andres Rivera (as represented by legal spouse, Ricci Dawnielle Yulo-Rivera)
Atty. De Guia entered the room, holding a pen and a look of cautious professionalism.
"I knew you'd come today," the lawyer said. "You were always precise with your timing."
Ricci turned, her silhouette sharp against the sun. "The boardroom was for his legacy in the company," she said. "Now I'm here for what belongs to us… as a family."
De Guia nodded, gesturing for her to sit. "According to the Revised Family Code, as Liam's legal wife, you're entitled to a conjugal share of any property acquired during the marriage, including estate entitlements, unless otherwise stated in a prenuptial agreement. You have no prenup on record."
Ricci folded her hands. "Then I want to initiate a legal notice to the Rivera estate management office. A formal motion to safeguard conjugal claims."
De Guia slid over the preliminary draft. "This includes property previously listed under Arnulfo Rivera's name, such as Rivera Hacienda in Batangas, the Palawan villa, and the Tagaytay ridge home—Liam's share would pass partly into the conjugal estate. But you do understand this means a direct challenge to Elisa and Matteo's informal custodianship of those properties."
Ricci's voice was calm. "It's not a challenge. It's a declaration. I'm not asking for their portion—just ours. If they contest, we go to court."
She signed the form.
Outside Legal Affairs — 2:45 P.M.
Elisa Rivera, who had lingered in the lobby for a meeting of her own, caught sight of Ricci stepping out. Their eyes met.
"You're making a move already," Elisa said, voice cool.
Ricci didn't flinch. "Not a move. A boundary."
"Matteo won't like it."
Ricci stepped forward. "Matteo can read the law. I'm not taking anything that wasn't declared ours. If you two respected Liam's place in this family from the start, we wouldn't need to go through this."
Elisa narrowed her eyes. "You've changed."
"I've learned how to stand where I belong. And I'm not standing behind Liam. I'm standing with him."
That Evening. Rivera Penthouse.
Liam sat by the balcony, sleeves rolled up, brand documents scattered around. Ricci placed the signed folder in front of him.
"They'll push back," Liam said quietly.
"They always have," Ricci replied. "But now we have the will. The law. And each other."
He looked at her—truly looked at her—for the first time that day.
"You didn't marry into this family," he murmured. "You fought your way into it."
Ricci smiled. "Then let's finish what we started."