Chapter 8 - The Collapse of Richard Vance
A collective gasp ripped through the ballroom.
"No... no, that’s impossible!" Olivia shrieked. "You’re a orphan! Your mother was a nobody!"
"My mother was Eleanor Ainsley," Maya replied coldly, looking at Olivia with disdain. "And the house you live in, Olivia? Owned by Ainsley Real Estate. Your lease has been revoked as of 6:00 PM tonight. Eviction notices are currently posted on your front door."
Olivia’s face went completely gray. She stumbled backward, clutching a chair for support.
Richard rushed toward Maya, panic turning into desperation. "Maya! Baby! Listen to me—it was a joke! The cake thing was just a joke! I was stressed! You know I love you and Lily!"
"Don't touch her," Julian warned softly, stepping shoulder-to-shoulder with Maya.
"Maya, please!" Richard cried out, turning to his CEO. "Sir, tell her! We’re family!"
The CEO looked at Richard with pure disgust. "Richard Vance, you are terminated immediately for conduct unbecoming of this firm. Security, escort him out!"
Two large guards grabbed Richard by his arms. He kicked and screamed as he was dragged across the ballroom floor.
Vanessa tried to slip away quietly toward the exit, but two female officers in uniform blocked her path. "Vanessa Davis? You are under arrest for unlawful recording, harassment, and tax fraud based on an anonymous financial audit submitted this morning."
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As Vanessa was cuffed and led away crying, the guests in the ballroom—the very same high-society elite who had looked down on Maya—began clapping, realizing that a new power had risen in New York.
Maya didn't stay to enjoy their applause. She turned around, placed her hand in Julian’s offered arm, and walked out of the ballroom without looking back once.
