Chapter 4 - The Infiltration of SoMa
Two days later, I made my first public appearance as the controlling head of Vance Global.
I arrived at the headquarters of Lawson Enterprise in SoMa—a glass-and-steel skyscraper that Garrett had proudly boasted about owning. What he had never disclosed to his employees or the press was that the building was actually owned by Vance Commercial Real Estate, and his company was merely a tenant three months behind on rent.
Accompanied by Harrison, a team of forensic accountants, and four armed security guards, I stepped out of the private elevator onto the executive floor.
The office was in utter chaos. Employees were frantic, phones were ringing off the hooks, and rumors of the company’s bankruptcy were circulating through every department.
When Garrett saw me walk through the glass doors, wearing a bespoke charcoal suit and holding an executive briefcase, he froze in the middle of the hallway. He looked disheveled, wearing the same shirt from two days ago, dark circles beneath his hollow eyes.
"Maya..." he stammered, stepping forward. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I’m taking possession of my building, Garrett," I said smoothly, stepping past him into the corner office that used to be his.
Victoria was inside, packing expensive art pieces and designer vases into cardboard boxes. When she saw me, she dropped a crystal sculpture, shattering it across the floor.
"Get out of here!" Victoria screamed, her voice cracking. "You ruined my family! You stole my son’s life!"
"I didn't steal anything, Victoria," I said, placing my hands on the mahogany desk—a desk that my trust had purchased. "You and your family built a lifestyle out of theft, arrogance, and cruelty. Today, the bill comes due."
Harrison stepped forward, opening a legal document. "As of 9:00 AM this morning, Vance Global has exercised its right as the primary secured creditor of Lawson Enterprise. We have foreclosed on all corporate assets, intellectual property, and equipment due to default on loan agreements."
"You can't do that!" Julian shouted, barging into the office holding a stack of papers. "I’m the Chief Operating Officer! I have a contract!"
"You were the COO," I corrected him calmly. "A position you obtained without a degree, earning a four-hundred-thousand-dollar salary while doing nothing but filing expense reports for luxury trips to Las Vegas. Your position is terminated, Julian. Effective immediately."
"Maya, please," Garrett begged, dropping his voice to a desperate whisper as he walked over to the desk. "I made a mistake! I was arrogant! I was foolish! But we built this company together! You loved me!"
I looked at him, feeling no anger, no hatred—only a profound, liberating pity.
May you like
"I loved the man I thought you were, Garrett," I said softly. "The man who pretended to care about hard work and humility. But that man was a ghost. You showed me who you really were the moment you kicked that chair."
I pointed toward the exit. "Security will escort you, your mother, and your brother out of the building. You have ten minutes before law enforcement arrives to serve the corporate seizure warrants."
