Chapter 11 - The Smear Campaign
The envelope Andrew provided was explosive, but before Mariana's legal team could fully authenticate the offshore documents, Victor Vance launched his next attack.
It wasn't in the courtroom. It was in the press.
Mariana walked into the Escalante Tower lobby on a Tuesday morning and was immediately blinded by the flash of cameras. A swarm of reporters pushed against the security detail.
"Mrs. Escalante! Are the rumors true?" a reporter shouted, shoving a microphone toward her face.
"Did you misappropriate foundation funds to build a private estate?" another yelled.
Mariana kept her face completely impassive as her security team rushed her into the private elevator. Once the doors closed, she let out a long, heavy sigh.
Her assistant, Clara, was waiting for her on the executive floor with a tablet in hand.
"It’s Vance," Clara said immediately. "He leaked a fabricated financial report to the major news outlets. The report claims Escalante Global is a front for personal tax evasion, and that Hope Village is a real estate scam."
Mariana walked into her office and threw her coat on the sofa.
"It's a lie," Mariana said, her voice shaking with controlled anger. "Every penny of our funding is audited and transparent."
"I know," Clara replied nervously. "But the public doesn't know that. Three of our major corporate sponsors called this morning. They are suspending their donations until the investigation is cleared."
Mariana looked out the massive glass window. She had fought so hard to turn this company into a force for good. She had scrubbed the stain of Margaret and Andrew's fraud from the walls. Now, Vance was trying to paint her with the same dirty brush.
David walked into the office a moment later, looking furious.
"I saw the news," David said, walking over and wrapping his arms around her.
Mariana leaned into his chest, closing her eyes. For a moment, she allowed herself to feel exhausted.
"He is trying to starve the foundation," Mariana whispered. "If we lose our sponsors, we can't build the shelters. Women will have nowhere to go."
David pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes.
"We have the envelope," David reminded her. "The documents Andrew gave me. We can use them to destroy Vance."
Mariana's eyes widened in shock.
May you like
"Andrew? You saw Andrew?"
"Yes," David nodded. "And as much as I hate to admit it... I think he is telling the truth."
