Chapter 12 - THE FIGHT TO BRING HER HOME
Arthur had faced angry investors.
Government investigations.
Business wars.
But nothing had ever terrified him like that photograph.
His daughter was missing.
And this time…
he refused to lose her.
“Find her.”
His voice shook the entire room.
Daniel immediately contacted security.
“We’re tracing the image.”
Arthur stared at the picture.
Maya looked scared.
But she was fighting.
Just like Isabella.
That thought broke him.
Thirty years ago, he failed Isabella.
He would not fail Maya.
Meanwhile…
Maya woke up in a dark room.
Her head hurt.
Her hands were tied.
She looked around.
An abandoned warehouse.
No windows.
No signs.
Then a door opened.
Richard walked inside.
“You’re awake.”
Maya stared at him.
“You kidnapped me.”
Richard smiled.
“Such a dramatic word.”
“It’s the truth.”
Richard ignored her.
“You don’t understand what you’re doing.”
Maya laughed.
“You mean exposing you?”
“No.”
“Destroying the Sterling family.”
Maya stared.
“Your family destroyed mine first.”
Richard walked closer.
“Your mother was warned.”
“She should have stayed away.”
Maya’s eyes filled with anger.
“She loved him.”
Richard looked away.
“And that was her mistake.”
Maya noticed.
“You hated her.”
“No.”
“You hated that Arthur loved her.”
Richard became silent.
Maya continued.
“You wanted Victoria to win.”
Richard smiled.
“You really think this is about Victoria?”
Maya frowned.
“What?”
Richard leaned closer.
“This was never about your father’s marriage.”
“Then what?”
Richard whispered:
“Sterling Global.”
Maya froze.
“What about it?”
Richard smiled.
“Your father thinks he built an empire.”
“But he didn’t.”
Maya stared.
Richard continued.
“Your grandfather stole the foundation of that company.”
“He destroyed people.”
“And everything was hidden.”
Maya understood.
“You’re trying to protect the company.”
Richard nodded.
“Exactly.”
“But why?”
“Because if the truth comes out…”
He smiled.
“The Sterling name disappears forever.”
Maya looked at him.
“And you would rather destroy innocent people than lose money?”
Richard said nothing.
Because that was the answer.
Suddenly…
a loud crash came from outside.
Voices.
Footsteps.
Richard turned.
Someone had found them.
The warehouse door exploded open.
Arthur stood there.
Not as a billionaire.
Not as a businessman.
As a father.
“Maya!”
She looked up.
And for the first time in her life…
she heard the person she had waited for say her name like he truly meant it.
“Dad…”
Arthur froze.
One word.
A word he never thought he would hear.
Then Richard pulled a gun.
Everything stopped.
May you like
And the secret that started thirty years ago…
was about to end in blood.
