Maggie stared at Julian in complete disbelief, wiping a small speck of running mascara from the corner of her eye as her red dress shook with rage[cite: 1]. The party guests leaned in closer, whispering frantically among themselves[cite: 1].
Maggie: What are you talking about?! You're just some crazy lunatic who broke into my private party!
Julian: My name is Julian Sterling. CEO of Sterling Global Holdings.
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd[cite: 1]. Two wealthy executives near the back of the pool area immediately set their drinks down, their faces turning pale[cite: 1].
Party Guest 2: Sterling Global?! The conglomerate that bought out the city bank last month?!
Maggie: Julian Sterling...? No... that's impossible! The CEO was supposed to meet my board of directors tomorrow morning!
Julian: I moved the meeting up. And two hours ago, I finalized the acquisition of sixty percent of Vance Enterprises' voting shares.
Maggie: What?! You can't do that! My father's will strictly protected our family stock!
Julian: Your father's will protected the stock for his rightful heir, Maya. The shares you've been illegally trading under your name belonged to her trust fund the whole time.
Maya sat up slowly on the deck, wrapping a dry towel around her wet shoulders as she looked up at Julian in absolute shock[cite: 1]. Her hands were still trembling from the cold water, but her voice was steady[cite: 1].
Maya: Julian... what do you mean about my father's trust fund?
Julian: Three years ago, your father left fifty-one percent of the hotel chain to you in a private, secondary will. Maggie hired a corrupt estate lawyer to hide the original documents and freeze your access to the bank accounts.
Maggie: That's a complete lie! He's making this up, Maya! He's trying to ruin our family name!
Julian: I have the original signed estate ledger right here in my briefcase, Maggie. Along with the forensic audit of your offshore accounts.
Julian waved his hand toward the glass patio doors[cite: 1]. Two police officers in full uniform stepped onto the pool deck, accompanied by a sharp-looking man holding a leather legal briefcase[cite: 1].
Maggie: Security! Security, remove these intruders immediately!
Head Guard: I'm sorry, Miss Vance... but Mr. Sterling is the registered owner of this property now. Our orders come from him.
Maggie: You useless fools! I pay your salaries!
Julian: Not anymore, Maggie. You don't pay anyone's salary in this city ever again.
Officer Hayes stepped forward, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his tactical belt as Maggie backed up against the edge of the pool[cite: 1].
Officer Hayes: Margaret Vance, you are under arrest for grand larceny, corporate fraud, and attempted murder.
Maggie: Attempted murder?! Are you out of your mind?! I just shoved her! It was a joke!
Julian: You pushed a girl who can't swim into eight feet of water and blocked anyone from helping her. The security cameras captured every single frame.