Chapter 5 - Echoes of Malice
Just as life was settling into a beautiful rhythm, a shadow from the past threatened to ruin everything.
One afternoon, while Adrian was at a charity gala for his company, he was approached by a reporter holding a tablet. "Mr. Cole, do you have a comment on the allegations regarding your son’s care?"
Adrian frowned. "What are you talking about?"
The reporter showed him a viral social media post written by Janet. In a bitter act of revenge, Janet had posted a lengthy, fabricated story claiming that Adrian Cole was endangering his sick son by firing certified medical staff and hiring an unlicensed, homeless woman to perform medical procedures. She had included a blurred photo of Maya entering the building.
The board of Cole Enterprises panicked. The company’s stock took a minor dip, and the board demanded an emergency meeting. They feared the public relations nightmare of a wealthy CEO harboring a "fraudulent doctor."
Adrian returned home, his blood boiling, but he kept his composure for the sake of the children. He called Maya into his study and showed her the post.
May you like
Maya’s face went pale. "I knew it was too good to be true," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll pack our things, Adrian. I won't ruin your life or your company."
"Stop," Adrian said, his voice firm but gentle. He walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You aren't going anywhere. Janet thinks she can use the truth as a weapon because she spun it into a lie. We aren't going to hide, Maya. We are going to fight back."
