Chapter 8 - The Grand Trap
The Beaumont grand ballroom was packed with reporters, cameras, and the city's elite.
Arthur stood at the podium, looking at his gold pocket watch with concern.
It was time for Maya to come down, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Cassandra stood in the front row, wearing a stunning red dress and a look of fake worry.
"Arthur, I am so worried," Cassandra whispered loudly for the reporters to hear.
"I went to check on her, but she wouldn't wake up."
The crowd began to murmur.
"Perhaps the pressure of this life is too much for a poor girl from the streets," Cassandra continued, shaking her head.
"She might be using substances to cope."
The cameras started flashing rapidly, journalists hungrily writing down Cassandra's scandalous words.
Arthur looked panicked, his heart breaking at the thought of losing his granddaughter again.
"Maybe we should postpone the announcement," Cassandra suggested, moving toward the microphone.
"Until she gets the mental help she clearly needs."
Cassandra reached out to take the microphone, ready to declare herself the temporary head of the company.
Suddenly, the massive doors of the ballroom swung open.
The crowd gasped.
Maya stood there, wearing a breathtaking gold gown, looking more awake and powerful than ever.
"I am perfectly fine, Cassandra," Maya's voice echoed clearly through the room.
May you like
Cassandra froze, all the color draining from her face for the second time that week.
"But I think we do need to talk about what happened this afternoon," Maya continued, walking down the red carpet.
