The following morning at Catalyst Marketing, tension filled the air. The cryptic text Maya had received was no longer just her secret; Ryan had informed Priya and Liam, citing the importance of transparency. As much as Maya hated being the center of attention, her team's collective determination was oddly comforting.
"We need to trace the source of that text," Ryan announced during an impromptu meeting in his office.
"I know a guy," Liam offered, leaning back in his chair. "Tech wizard. He could probably track the number for us."
Ryan nodded. "Do it. Discreetly."
"Already on it," Liam said, texting furiously.
As Priya brainstormed potential PR strategies in case the situation spiraled, Maya tried to focus on her laptop. But her mind kept drifting to the message, the photo, and the unnerving sense of déjà vu.
A sudden knock interrupted the meeting. Amara Sterling entered without waiting for an invitation, her polished demeanor as sharp as ever.
"We need to talk," she said, her eyes locking onto Maya.
Ryan stood, his towering presence impossible to ignore. "If this concerns the campaign, you can address the team."
Amara arched an eyebrow but didn't argue. She took a seat, smoothing her skirt. "I had my own team look into the photo. It was uploaded to a private forum weeks ago—anonymously."
"Why are we just finding out about this now?" Ryan demanded.
"Because I didn't think it was relevant until yesterday," Amara replied coolly. "But after that text..." She turned to Maya. "Do you have any idea who might have sent it?"
Maya hesitated. Her mind raced through possibilities, but none made sense. "No. I've been out of touch with most of my family for years."
Amara's expression softened briefly before she regained her composure. "Whoever it is, they clearly want to stir up trouble. We need to stay ahead of this."
"Agreed," Ryan said, his tone leaving no room for debate. "And until we know more, the fewer people who know about this, the better."
A Familiar Face
Later that afternoon, Maya stepped out of the office for some air. The weight of the situation was suffocating, and she needed a moment to breathe. She wandered into a nearby café, ordering a coffee and sitting by the window.
As she stirred her drink absentmindedly, a voice pulled her from her thoughts.
"Well, well. If it isn't Maya Kapoor."
She looked up sharply, her stomach twisting. Standing before her was a man she hadn't seen in years—Arjun, her cousin and Amara's younger brother.
"Arjun?" she said, her voice a mix of surprise and unease.
He grinned, taking the seat across from her uninvited. "Long time, no see. How's life treating you?"
"Busy," Maya replied tersely. "What are you doing here?"
Arjun shrugged, his grin widening. "Business. Same as you, I hear. Sterling & Crown, huh? Big leagues."
Maya's eyes narrowed. "Did you send that text?"
His grin faltered briefly, replaced by feigned innocence. "What text?"
"You know what I'm talking about," Maya said, her voice low and firm.
Arjun leaned back, crossing his arms. "Relax, Maya. I'm not your enemy."
"Then what are you?"
He didn't answer directly. Instead, he said, "You've got a lot riding on this campaign. It'd be a shame if something... complicated things."
Maya's heart sank. "What do you want?"
Arjun leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's just say I'm in the business of favors. You scratch my back, I scratch yours."
Before Maya could respond, the café door opened, and Ryan entered, his gaze immediately finding her. He strode over, his presence as commanding as ever.
"Everything okay here?" he asked, his eyes flicking between Maya and Arjun.
Arjun stood, extending a hand. "Arjun Sterling. Maya's cousin. And you must be Ryan Turner."
Ryan didn't take the offered hand. "We're in the middle of something."
"Of course," Arjun said smoothly, stepping back. "We'll catch up later, Maya. Always a pleasure."
As he walked away, Ryan sat across from Maya, his expression unreadable. "What was that about?"
Maya hesitated, then told him everything.
Back at the office, Liam burst into Ryan's office, holding up his phone. "Got a lead on that number," he said. "You're not going to believe who it's linked to."
Ryan took the phone, his eyes narrowing as he read the screen. Maya, standing beside him, paled.
The name displayed was one she hadn't thought about in years—someone from her past who had every reason to want to see her fail.
Ryan looked at her, his voice steady but firm. "Who is this, Maya?"
Maya swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's... my father."
Ryan leaned back in his chair, staring at the partial report Liam had printed out. The prepaid number was untraceable, but the IP address led straight to Sterling & Crown—a revelation that stirred more questions than answers.
"Maya," he called, his tone clipped but careful.
She appeared in his doorway moments later, her expression guarded. "You wanted to see me?"
Ryan motioned for her to sit. "We got a lead. The text was routed through a server linked to Sterling & Crown."
Maya stiffened, her hand gripping the back of the chair. "So it's them. But why would they...?"
Ryan studied her carefully. "That's what I'm trying to figure out. Have you ever had any interaction with Amanda Sterling or anyone high up there?"
Her brow furrowed in thought. "Not directly. I mean, I know of Amanda—her reputation is hard to miss in this industry. But no, I've never worked with or for them."
Ryan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he tapped his pen against the table, deep in thought. Finally, he asked, "What about personally? Any overlap—friends, family, acquaintances?"
Maya froze. Her mind reeled back to a memory she had long buried—a family gathering where she had overheard her parents talking about the Sterlings in hushed tones. Something about an old business partnership gone wrong, though the details were hazy.
"I… I don't think so," she answered hesitantly, though doubt flickered across her face.
Ryan noticed but didn't press. Instead, he leaned forward. "If there's anything, even small, it could help. In the meantime, we'll keep digging."
As Maya left his office, her mind was clouded with questions. What connection could her family possibly have with Sterling & Crown? And why now?
That evening, Maya was still restless as she sat in her apartment, going through old family photos. She hoped something—anything—might jog her memory. Then, her phone buzzed.
It was another text, but this time, the number was familiar. Amanda Sterling.
"Would you like to meet for coffee tomorrow? There's much to discuss."
Maya stared at the screen, her heart pounding. This wasn't just business anymore—it was personal.