Chapter 2 - The Audit Files and the Hidden Vault
Julian Vance’s declaration hung in the suffocating air of the grand ballroom like a physical weight, paralyzing every guest in attendance.
Beverly’s face instantly drained of color, the haughty sneer melting away into sheer, unadulterated panic as she took an involuntary step backward.
"Julian, you cannot possibly mean—this girl is a nobody, a distraction!" Beverly stammered, her voice cracking as she tried to regain control of the narrative.
My father—a word that still felt entirely foreign on my tongue—did not even glance at her as he walked past the shattered glass and pulled me gently behind his protective frame.
"Maya is my flesh and blood, born of a quiet truth I kept hidden to protect her from the vipers circling this organization," Julian told the crowd, his voice resonating with quiet fury.
He signaled to two private security guards standing near the mahogany double doors, who immediately stepped forward carrying heavy leather briefcases.
"For three years, millions of dollars meant for pediatric cancer research have vanished into offshore accounts controlled by a single executive board member," Julian continued, opening the top briefcase to reveal rows of glowing financial documents.
"Maya took this job as a catering waitress tonight not by accident, but because she hacked our internal server and traced the missing wire transfers right to this room."
The guests began to whisper frantically among themselves, casting suspicious glances at one another.
Beverly lunged forward, her manicured nails clawing toward the open briefcase.
"It’s a forgery! She planted those!" Beverly screamed, losing all her usual poise.
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As security pinned her arms behind her back, Beverly glared at me with pure venom and hissed a warning that made my blood run cold.
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