Chapter 13 - The Media Storm
By Wednesday morning, the story had officially exploded. The front pages of every major newspaper and financial publication in the country featured massive, bold headlines: BILLIONAIRE CEO SURVIVES POISON PLOT, and FIANCÉE AND MENTOR ARRESTED IN ASSASSINATION CONSPIRACY.
The media frenzy was absolutely relentless. News helicopters buzzed loudly over the Sterling Vanguard headquarters, and hundreds of aggressive paparazzi swarmed the ground-level entrances, desperate for a quote or a photograph.
Julian stood in his executive office, watching the chaos on the muted television screens. Vance stood silently by the door, reviewing a tablet filled with security feeds.
"The press is digging aggressively, boss," Vance reported without looking up from his screen. "They know the assassination attempt was thwarted by a server at the gala. They are currently offering massive cash bounties to the catering staff to leak her identity."
Julian’s jaw clenched tightly. "Shut it down, Vance. Buy the catering company if you have to, and enforce strict, ironclad non-disclosure agreements with every single employee. Maya’s name and photograph do not leak to the press under any circumstances. If her identity gets out, her life will become an absolute nightmare."
"I already have a legal team drafting the NDAs, sir," Vance confirmed. "But there is a secondary issue. We intercepted a piece of intelligence from our contacts inside the police department. Marcus had deep ties to a local crime syndicate that helped him launder the company’s money. Those people are extremely unhappy that Marcus is locked up and their cash flow is frozen."
Julian turned away from the television, his blue eyes narrowing dangerously. "Are they threatening Maya?"
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"Not directly yet," Vance said carefully. "But she is the prime witness. Without her testimony and her video, a smart defense lawyer might be able to create reasonable doubt. She is a massive liability to their operations."
"Double the detail around her suite," Julian commanded, his voice cold as ice. "Nobody gets on that floor without my personal authorization. Maya is untouchable."
