The hallway outside the conference room was silent, except for the faint hum of the building's ventilation. Maya felt the weight of Amara's words pressing down on her as she stared at her cousin, trying to process the sudden collision of her past and present.
Ryan, standing nearby, observed the scene with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Linda had stepped away moments earlier, muttering something about "letting the grown-ups handle it," leaving him to keep an eye on Maya from a respectful distance.
"Fine," Amara said curtly, breaking the silence. "Let's talk in private."
Ryan's brows furrowed as Maya followed Amara into the conference room. He didn't like being shut out of conversations that could impact their campaign, but he knew Maya needed to handle this herself.
Amara closed the door behind them, her expression guarded. She gestured toward a chair, but Maya remained standing, her back straight and her resolve firm.
"Let me get this straight," Amara began, her tone sharp. "You're leading the pitch for Sterling & Crown, and you didn't think it was worth mentioning that we're related?"
"I didn't know you were involved until we started the project," Maya replied calmly. "And I didn't see how it was relevant."
"Relevant?" Amara repeated, her voice rising slightly. "Maya, we both know people in this industry will jump on any excuse to discredit a successful woman. If this connection comes out the wrong way, they'll call it nepotism—and it'll tarnish both of us."
Maya clenched her fists, her voice steady. "I'm not here because of you, Amara. I'm here because my team and I are good at what we do. If you have doubts about our capability, then say so. But don't question my integrity."
Amara's sharp demeanor softened, if only slightly. She sighed, rubbing her temples. "You've always had a knack for holding your ground. Fine. I believe you. But this photo…" She gestured toward the laptop on the table, still displaying the image of them as children. "It's already circulating. If people connect the dots, it's going to be a problem."
"I didn't even know that photo existed," Maya said honestly. "I don't know who sent it or why."
Amara studied her cousin's face, searching for any hint of deceit. Finding none, she finally nodded. "All right. But I'm warning you, Maya. This campaign is everything to Sterling & Crown. If your team can't handle the pressure—"
"We can," Maya interrupted firmly. "You'll see."
Amara gave a curt nod and walked out, leaving Maya alone in the room to gather herself.
Ryan and Amara: A Private Exchange
Amara barely made it two steps into the hallway before Ryan intercepted her.
"You're Amara Sterling?" he asked, his tone polite but probing.
Amara raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down. "And you must be Ryan Turner. I've heard about you."
"All good things, I hope," he said, his voice smooth but his expression unreadable.
Amara smirked. "Mostly. What do you want?"
"I just want to make sure Maya isn't being set up to fail," Ryan replied bluntly.
Amara's eyes narrowed. "Set up? Hardly. But this industry doesn't give second chances, Mr. Turner. If there's even a whiff of scandal, it's over—for all of us."
Ryan's jaw tightened. "Maya doesn't deserve to carry that weight alone. Whatever happened between you two in the past is irrelevant now. My team will deliver the campaign you're looking for. You have my word."
Amara tilted her head, studying him. "You're protective of her."
Ryan didn't flinch. "Maya's one of the best at what she does. I won't let anyone, family or not, undermine that."
Amara's lips curved into a faint smile. "Noted. But I'd keep an eye on her if I were you. The photo didn't leak itself."
Ryan's expression darkened. "We'll handle it."
Amara nodded and walked away, leaving Ryan standing in the hallway with a new sense of urgency simmering beneath his calm exterior.
A Cliffhanger in the Making
Back in the office, Maya tried to focus on the campaign. Priya and Liam, sensing her tension, hovered nearby, offering snacks and words of encouragement.
Ryan returned shortly after his conversation with Amara, his presence commanding as always. He stopped by Maya's desk, lowering his voice. "You okay?"
Maya looked up, meeting his eyes. "I'm fine. Just… processing."
Ryan hesitated, then said, "We'll figure this out. Together."
Maya nodded, grateful for his steady support.
Later that evening, as the team prepared to leave, Maya's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, her blood running cold. It was a text from an unknown number, accompanied by the childhood photo of her and Amara.
The message read: "Family secrets have a way of coming to light. Are you ready for that?"
Her hand trembled as she showed the text to Ryan. He read it, his jaw clenching.
"Who sent this?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"I don't know," Maya whispered.
Ryan's eyes darkened. "Then we'll find out. And whoever's behind this—they'll regret it."
As Maya stared at him, a mix of fear and gratitude swirling in her chest, she realized one thing for certain: this wasn't just about the campaign anymore. It was personal.
To be continued…