Chapter 12 - A Voice from Prison
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The executive office was finally quiet. The press conference had been a massive success, stopping the stock market bleed and actually causing a slight rally in Sterling Enterprises shares before the closing bell. Maya sat on the plush sofa in her new office, kicking off her heels and rubbing her tired temples.
The silence was shattered by the sharp ringing of the secure private line on her desk.
Maya frowned. Very few people had that direct number. She walked over, picked up the heavy receiver, and pressed it to her ear.
"Maya Sterling speaking."
"You always were a dramatic little brat," a cold, raspy voice sneered through the phone.
Maya’s blood ran cold. It was Victoria.
"How did you get access to a phone, Victoria? You are supposed to be in federal holding, denied bail."
"Money and influence do not suddenly evaporate because of a pair of handcuffs, Maya," Victoria laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "I just wanted to call and congratulate you on your little press conference. It was a very touching performance. Your father would have been so proud of his naive little girl."
"I don't have time for your venom, Victoria. You are looking at twenty years in a federal penitentiary. You lost."
"Did I?" Victoria taunted. "You think you’ve won because you have a fancy title and my old office? You have absolutely no idea what you have stumbled into, Maya. You think I built this empire of fraud all by myself? You think I am the only one who wanted your father out of the picture?"
Maya gripped the edge of the glass desk, her knuckles turning white.
"What are you talking about?"
"The ledger you stole from my safe is only half the story," Victoria whispered maliciously. "You cut off one head of the snake, darling. But the body is still slithering in the dark. Enjoy the CEO chair while you can. Because the people I answer to are not going to let a little girl ruin their investments."
May you like
Before Maya could respond, the line went dead, leaving a dial tone echoing in the quiet office. Maya slowly placed the receiver down, a cold knot of dread forming in her stomach.
Victoria wasn't the mastermind. She was just a highly-paid pawn.
