Chapter 19 - Standing on Top
|
The morning sun broke over the harbor, casting long golden light beams across my penthouse executive office at the top of Vance Global Tower.
I stood at the floor-to-ceiling glass window, wearing a crisp tailored white suit. On my right index finger, the heavy gold signet ring of the Vance Syndicate caught the bright morning light.
Sarah, my newly appointed chief of staff, stepped into the office holding a tablet.
"Director Vance, the morning reports are finalized," Sarah announced professionally. "Quarterly revenue for Vance Global has increased by forty percent. The new Greenwich shelter complex is eighty percent complete, and public sentiment is at an all-time high."
"And Declan?" I asked casually, keeping my eyes fixed on the horizon.
"He was transferred to a medium-security facility in Pennsylvania yesterday," Sarah replied. "His appeal was formally rejected by the circuit court. Chloe filed for personal bankruptcy last week."
I nodded slowly. The past felt like a distant, foggy memory—a ghost story told to remind me of where I had come from.
Two years ago, a man threw a golf club at me and told me I was a nobody.
Today, my signature moved millions, my foundation saved lives, and my name was etched into the skyline of the city I now ruled.
My mother walked into the office, carrying a warm cup of coffee. She set it on my desk and stood beside me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"You've built something beautiful, Maya," Mom said softly.
May you like
"I didn't build it alone, Mom," I answered, leaning my head against her shoulder. "You held the safe door open for me when I had nowhere else to go."
"A mother always holds the door, my sweet girl," Mom smiled. "Now... it's time for you to fly."
