Chapter 17 - Echoes from the PastBack in San Francisco, the corporate machinery of Azure Hospitality continued to hum with absolute precision.
Marcus Sterling walked into my corner office on a rainy Thursday afternoon, placing a slim manila folder on the edge of my glass desk.
“Maya, a minor administrative update regarding your family in Sacramento,” Marcus said calmly, adjusting his glasses.
I paused, looking up from my tablet. I hadn't heard a word about Mom or Vanessa in months. “Go on.”
“Your mother’s consulting practice has officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy,” Marcus stated matter-of-factly. “Without our corporate accounts and high-society endorsements, her client base dissolved within six months. Furthermore, Vanessa was quietly let go from Vance & Sterling after her quarterly performance metrics hit an all-time low.”
I leaned back in my leather chair, letting the information sink in without a flicker of satisfaction or malice. It wasn't triumph I felt, but a profound sense of closure.
“Did they try to reach out?” I asked quietly.
“Your mother sent a certified letter to our corporate legal department last week,” Marcus replied, sliding the manila folder slightly closer. “She requested a private meeting, claiming that family bonds supersede business disputes.”
I opened the folder, glanced briefly at the formal letterhead, and then slid it back across the desk.
May you like
“File it under archived correspondence, Marcus,” I instructed smoothly. “And notify building security that if they attempt to enter any Azure property or corporate office, they are to be treated like any other unauthorized trespassers.”
“Consider it done,” Marcus nodded, picking up the folder and turning toward the door.
Related Stories
