Chapter 13 - THE PLAZA OF LIES
Outside in the central plaza, hundreds of reporters squeezed behind metal barricades.
Dozens of news cameras with bright LED lights were trained on the grand podium.
Victoria stood behind the microphone, looking grieving, dignified, and utterly commanding.
She wore a dark navy designer coat with her signature gold brooch pinned to her collar.
Beside her stood her team of high-priced lawyers, holding legal folders.
Julian stood a few feet behind her, his hands clasped tightly in front of him, looking motionless.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Victoria spoke into the microphone.
Her voice echoed clearly across the noisy plaza through massive loudspeaker towers.
"It is with a deeply heavy heart that I address the media today," she began, wiping a non-existent tear.
"My beloved daughter, Maya, has been suffering from severe, tragic psychiatric instability," Victoria lied smoothly.
"Last night, in a state of profound confusion, she was removed from her medical care by her father."
The reporters gasped, flashbulbs flashing like a sudden lightning storm.
"We are desperately worried for her safety and the safety of her unborn child," Victoria continued.
"I am officially pleading with the public to help us locate her before she harms herself."
"And I have requested emergency legal guardianship of the child the moment it is born," she announced.
The chief lawyer beside her stepped up, holding the legal decree ready for the judge's signature.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors behind the podium burst open with a loud bang.
The entire crowd of reporters went dead silent in an instant.
Maya stepped out onto the elevated stage, illuminated by the bright morning sun.
She wore no hospital gown, no oxygen mask, and showed no signs of panic.
She walked straight toward the podium, her head held high, her gaze locked on Victoria.
"I don't need to be found, Victoria," Maya's voice echoed through the stage speakers.
"Because I am right here."
The plaza erupted into absolute chaos as hundreds of cameras turned instantly toward Maya.
May you like
Flashbulbs exploded in a blinding frenzy of white light.
Victoria turned around, her face instantly draining of all color, her lips twitching in horror.
