An hour later, the police had cleared the main ballroom, leaving only Julian, Maya, and a few senior company board members near the stage area.
Julian sat on a leather sofa, sipping a bottle of plain spring water while a legal advisor handed him a tablet.
Legal Advisor: Mr. Vance, we just checked the corporate vault records. Evelyn accessed your late uncle's private safe three days ago.
Julian: She had access to his safe?
Legal Advisor: She forged his digital signature on an estate transfer document that was set to execute at midnight tonight.
Julian: Midnight tonight? So if I had died at this gala, all company stock would have automatically transferred to her holding company?
Legal Advisor: Every single share, sir. The transfer clause was completely airtight.
Maya looked up from her seat, her voice full of concern.
Maya: She had this whole plan built for months, didn't she?
Julian: Years, Maya. She spent years positioning herself to steal everything my family built.
Maya: It's terrifying how someone can smile in your face while planning something so dark.
Julian: What makes it worse is that I trusted her as my closest friend in business.
Detective Miller walked back into the room holding a clear plastic folder filled with printed documents.
Detective Miller: Mr. Vance, we executed an emergency search warrant on Ms. Reed's private vehicle in the hotel garage.
Julian: What did you find, Detective?
Detective Miller: We found two more medical vials matching the substance in the foil packet, along with your late uncle's original handwritten will.
Julian: His original will?! She stole it before the probate court could read it?!
Detective Miller: It appears so. The will clearly states that sixty percent of his personal estate was left to a charitable trust for low-income medical workers.
Maya gasped quietly, setting her water glass down on the table.
Maya: She stole money meant for healthcare workers and struggling families?
Detective Miller: She altered the documents to make herself the primary executor. The district attorney is adding grand larceny and forgery to her charges right now.
Julian: She will never see the light of day as a free woman again.
Detective Miller: Not a chance, sir. With the video evidence and the seized documents, this is an open-and-shut federal case.
The detective bowed his head politely and turned to walk toward the exit corridor.
Detective Miller: Take care of yourselves. We will need you both for formal depositions tomorrow morning.
Julian: Thank you, Detective. We will be there.
Julian turned to face Maya, looking at her plain gray hotel uniform and her injured arm.
Julian: Maya, how long have you worked at this hotel?
Maya: About six months, sir. I work the night shift so I can pay for my nursing school tuition during the day.
Julian: Nursing school?
Maya: Yes, sir. I have one year left before I get my degree.
Julian smiled gently, a look of deep respect filling his eyes.
Julian: Well, your days as a hotel waitress are officially over as of tonight.
Maya: What do you mean, Mr. Vance?
Julian: I am establishing a full educational trust in your name tomorrow morning. Your tuition, living expenses, and medical care will be fully covered.
Maya stared at him in complete disbelief, her hand going over her mouth.
Maya: Mr. Vance... no, I can't accept that! That is way too much!
Julian: You saved my life, Maya. You saved my family's legacy. A nursing scholarship is the absolute least I can do for you.