Chapter 3 - The Board's Impatience
Before Maya could answer, Julian’s sleek smartphone vibrated against the marble counter. The caller ID flashed: RICHARD STERLING - VP OF OPERATIONS.
Julian silenced it, but it immediately rang again. He picked it up with a heavy sigh.
"Julian, where the hell are you?" Richard’s voice barked through the speaker, loud enough for Maya to hear. "The representatives from Apex Global have been sitting in the boardroom for twenty minutes. If we don't sign this merger today, the stock is going to tank. You are jeopardizing everything we’ve built!"
"Tell them I was detained by an urgent internal audit," Julian lied smoothly, his eyes fixed on Leo, who was finally drinking the milk steadily.
"An audit? Julian, this is a five-billion-dollar acquisition! Get down here now, or the board will hold a vote of no confidence!"
"Let them vote," Julian said coldly. "If anyone enters my penthouse, they’re fired. Handle it, Richard."
Julian ended the call and tossed the phone onto the sofa. Maya paused with the spoon halfway to Leo’s mouth.
"You're going to lose your job because of me," she said, a flicker of guilt crossing her guarded features.
"I own the company, Maya. I can't lose my job," Julian smirked, though the reality of a board mutiny was a genuine threat. "Now, tell me. Where are your parents?"
Maya’s tough exterior cracked, just for a fraction of a second. She looked down at the crumbs on her plate.
"They died in a car accident six months ago," she whispered. "The state put us with our Uncle Marcus. He took the government checks, but he didn't buy food. He drinks. Last night, he got really mad because Leo wouldn't stop crying from being hungry. He raised his hand. So... I took Leo and climbed out the fire escape."
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Julian’s blood ran ice cold. A familiar, dark rage settled into his bones—the same ruthlessness that had made him the most feared businessman in the city.
"You did the right thing," Julian said softly.
