Chapter 41
Chapter 41 Do You Like My Gift? “Mr. Cedric, Ms. Maia left the Cloud Nine Residences shortly after you arrived at the Central Tower,” Baz replied. “Where'd she go?”
“She went to Mr. Linden’s residence for about an hour.” Baz explained in a single breath as he slowly moved away from his boss, “She was also with a well-built male who looks to be about 2 meters tall.”
He could already feel Cedric’s aura darken. “I'd love to see who dares steal my woman!”
Zera was inside the ward when she overheard Cedric’s comment. Her expression turned sour as she gripped the hem of her blouse. Her eyes were filled with hatred.
“Maia, you slut! Why didn’t the fire kill you? How dare you come back and try to steal Cedric away from me? Just you wait!” Zera’s lips trembled in anger.
Maia created a stir when she showed up at Starlight Entertainment. Most of the staff members could not stop talking about her. “Ms. Maia looks better in person. She just smiled at me, and she looks so pretty.” “She is not only pretty but very capable as well! She does resemble Mrs. Chairwoman.”
“Since she’s the new chairwoman, she’s probably eager to prove herself. There would likely be drama at the board of directors‘ meeting, right?”
Maia was staring at a screen inside an office on the twentieth floor. The screen showed Phil sitting in the middle of an empty conference room.
“Did you lock the doors to the conference room?” Maia asked Buck.
Buck nodded. “Yes, | did.”
“Play him the recording.”
“Right away.” Buck immediately pressed the play button.
Moments later, the conversation between Phil and Mr. Linden echoed through the conference TOOM.
“We all underestimated Maia’s abilities, Mr. Linden. She was already onto us when she sent someone to investigate those financial records. I’ve done my best to transfer our funds, but
+15 BONUS “Mr. Read, y—you don’t expect me to take the blame for all of this, do you?”
“Think about it carefully, Mr. Linden,” Phil said. “Even if you deny it, you'll still be charged with a portion of the crime. If you agree to accept full responsibility, I’ll wire 10 million dollars. to your family.
“40 million is more than enough to provide a comfortable life for your family. I’m sure you realize how difficult it is for a typical family to own this much money, right?”
The recording was already on replay for more than 10 minutes. Maia stared at Phil as his face got paler. Phil’s head darted around the room until he came across a camera.
Phil hissed Maia’s name in hatred. As the recordings went on, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
He knew the implications of this recording, and he could not stay in this room any longer. When he tried to leave, he discovered that the doors were locked!
“Maia Burgess, how dare you lock me in here? Where are the others?” Phil yelled as he pointed toward the camera. “Come out right now! I’m still on the board of directors for Starlight Entertainment!”
Phil heard a click as he was about to throw a chair against the doors. The doors to the conference room flew open. Maia stood on the other side, calmly staring at the hysterical Phil.
Buck grabbed the chair from Phil’s hand swiftly. “Mr. Read, the chair is innocent!” Phil released his grip on the chair when he saw Buck’s build. Buck placed the chair back in its place and moved aside. “Uncle, it’s been a while. Do you like my gift?”
Phil’s body trembled as he glanced at the smiling Maia. He took a few wobbly steps back until he came across the table to steady himself.
The recording was still playing. Phil realized that Mr. Linden had confessed everything and that Maia had proof. He knew that the game was over for him!
Phil’s whole arrogant demeanor shifted. Trembling, he said, “What do you want from me? | don’t want to go to prison! I’m your uncle, one of the few family members you have left!”
“Don't even try, Uncle. Any last words?”
Phil’s face darkened as he tried to talk his way out. “My dear niece, this news will hurt you and Starlight Entertainment! Even if you're mad, can’t you forgive me for your mother’s sake? Who would send their uncle to jail?”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
“There’s always a first to everything,” Maia said before leaving the room. The board meeting was about to begin, and she did not want to waste time with Phil.
Phil yelled after her, “Your mother didn’t kill herself because of depression!"
Maia stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she spun toward the nervous Phil. She quickly closed the doors to the conference room and strode towards him.
“What did you say?”
“| said your mother didn’t commit suicide!” Phil replied with a firm voice. He knew that this was his last straw, and he needed to hold onto it.
“You're lying! It was written clearly in the autopsy report that my mother had depression and was already on medication for a while. There wasn’t any evidence of foul play at the scene!”
“Maia, | can tell you this now because | have proof! If you’re willing to let me off the hook, I'll give you everything | have! I’m sure you'll get to the bottom of this!” Phil pleaded earnestly.
Maia studied Phil closely. He did not look like he was lying to her.
She finally replied with a frown, “I'll let you go this time. However, you need to surrender the shares you have in Starlight Entertainment, as well as return all the money you've laundered.”
“Yes, of course! I'll give you everything | have, everything!” Phil promised eagerly. Nothing was worth more than being able to avoid going to prison and losing everything he had. “You’re sure my mother didn’t have depression?”
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