Chapter 3 - THE ZERO BALANCE.
“No. This is a glitch. This is impossible.”
Vivian tapped frantically at the screen, but the warning would not disappear.
Her primary account connected to the Sterling family trust displayed a balance of zero. Her offshore funds, credit lines and platinum cards had all been locked by a federal-level digital override.
Maya watched silently from beside the marble table, holding Jasper close.
For the first time in ten years of abuse, she saw genuine fear in her aunt’s eyes.
The woman who had forced Maya to sleep in an unheated attic was now hyperventilating. The woman who dressed in luxury while making Maya scrub floors in rags was trembling like a leaf.
“You did this!” Vivian screamed, advancing with one hand raised. “You and your pathetic dead father engineered this to steal my rightful money!”
Maya flinched but refused to retreat.
“It was never your money. You were only the temporary executor until I came of age. The will said the estate became mine when I turned twenty-one, and you hid it.”
Vivian laughed hysterically.
“You have no papers, no lawyers and no power! I own the judges in this state. I own the local police!”
May you like
She began dialing her defense attorney, demanding Maya’s arrest for federal cyberterrorism.
Before the call connected, heavy footsteps approached from the hallway.
