Chapter 15 - The Woman They Expected to Break
Two days later, Maya entered Carter Sentinel’s boardroom.
She wore a dark blue maternity dress beneath a long coat.
The bruises around her wrist were still visible.
Every director became silent.
Several had known her since childhood.
Not one had contacted her after Trent’s arrest.
Richard’s attorney stood near the head of the table.
“The meeting concerns company stability,” he said. “Ms. Carter is currently on medical leave.”
“My name is Maya Carter Holloway,” she replied. “And I still own fifty-one percent of this company.”
“Your voting authority is being challenged.”
“By a man charged with helping murder my father.”
The attorney’s face tightened.
The board chairman asked Maya to sit.
She remained standing.
On the screen behind him was the proposed sale.
The price was less than half the company’s value.
Maya presented records showing that the buyer shared addresses, accountants and bank accounts with Harlow Strategic Advisory.
Several directors began whispering.
One director demanded the vote be delayed.
Another insisted the records had not been verified.
The chairman looked toward Maya.
“Do you have independent confirmation?”
The boardroom doors opened.
Alex entered with Agent Brooks, two forensic accountants and a federal prosecutor.
He carried a small encrypted drive.
Richard’s attorney immediately objected.
Alex placed the drive on the table.
“Thomas Carter prepared this before his death.”
The prosecutor handed subpoenas to four directors.
Two attempted to leave.
Federal agents blocked the doors.
A technician connected the drive to the boardroom system.
Maya removed her father’s repaired smartwatch and entered the final numerical key.
The files began opening.
Vendor records.
Private emails.
Secret recordings.
Years of stolen money appeared on the screen.
Then one folder remained.
It carried Maya’s name.
MAYA CARTER—CONTROL CONTINGENCY.
Alex looked at her.
“I’ve never seen this file.”
Maya opened it.
The first page contained her father’s signature.
The second contained Alex’s.
May you like
The third contained the name of Maya’s unborn child.
👉 Thomas had not merely documented the Holloways’ crimes—he had secretly changed who controlled the entire company.
