Chapter 5
Night fell over the quiet suburb, bringing a chilly breeze that rustled the trees outside Maya's window.
Inside her home office, Maya sat at her desk with a heavy laptop open before her glowing face.
The silver flash drive was plugged into the side port, its small blue LED light blinking rapidly.
Marcus sat in a leather chair nearby, reviewing printed bank statements under a bright desk lamp.
"Your father's legal team filed three emergency motions in court this evening," Marcus noted grimly.
"They are claiming you obtained these private records through illegal wiretapping."
Maya let out a bitter, cold laugh that lacked any true humor.
"Victor Vance always uses the court system to bully his victims into silence," Maya remarked sharply.
"He did it to my mother ten years ago, and he thinks he can do it to me today."
Suddenly, the computer screen flickered wildly before displaying a dark black background with red text.
A digitized voice spoke through the laptop speakers, echoing through the quiet office.
"Hello, Maya," the electronic voice distorted chillingly.
May you like
"You took something that belongs to the Vance family trust."
"Return the drive within twenty-four hours, or your home will not be the only thing destroyed."
