Chapter 4 - The Corporate Facade
The following evening, the Vance estate was transformed into a glittering fortress of wealth and high-stakes corporate theater. Valet drivers parked luxury sedans along the winding driveway, while men in tailored tuxedos and women in velvet evening gowns filled the grand drawing room.
I wore my formal dark navy caregiving tunic, keeping my hands folded neatly in front of me as I maneuvered Richard's motorized wheelchair through the crowds.
As we crossed the grand foyer, a familiar voice echoed near the coat check.
"Maya?"
I stopped instantly, my fingers tightening on the rubber grips of the wheelchair.
Miguel stood near the marble staircase, wearing a sleek Italian suit, a crystal champagne flute in his hand. Standing beside him, her arm looped possessively through his, was Valerie—wearing a emerald silk dress that cost more than three months of my old household budget.
Behind them stepped Ofelia, dressed in an overly elaborate lace gown, looking around the estate with greedy, wide-eyed awe.
"What on earth are you doing here?" Miguel gasped, stepping forward, his eyes darting from my uniform to Richard sitting silently in the wheelchair.
Before I could speak, Ofelia strutted over, her mouth twisting into a sneer of absolute disgust. "Oh, look at this, Miguel! She told you she was moving on to a professional career, and she’s ended up as a glorified bath-servant for the handicapped!"
Valerie smirked quietly, taking a delicate sip of her champagne. "Well, Miguel did say she had a background in basic home care. I suppose everyone has to find their proper level in life."
I felt a surge of cold rage, but before I could utter a single word, Richard pressed a button on his wheelchair armrest, pivoting the chair forty-five degrees to face Miguel directly.
Richard’s voice boomed across the foyer, loud, commanding, and ringing with absolute corporate authority, despite his sitting position.
"You must be Miguel Torres," Richard said, his tone icy enough to freeze fire. "The junior ledger auditor from Vitalis Health whose recent accounting filings were flagged by the Federal Trade Commission yesterday morning."
Miguel dropped his champagne glass. It shattered against the marble floor, splashing sparkling wine across Valerie's silk shoes.
"W-what?" Miguel stammered, his face instantly draining of all color. "I... Mr. Vance, I am lead financial auditor for the merger..."
"You are a low-level paper pusher whose signature appears on six fraudulent tax disclosures currently under grand jury review," Richard said smoothly, his eyes piercing through Miguel like steel needles. "My caregiver, Maya, possesses more professional integrity in her pinky finger than you have displayed in your entire career. If you speak to her with anything less than absolute deference in my house, I will have my head of security remove you from these premises before the hors d’oeuvres are served."
Ofelia stood paralyzed, her mouth agape, completely unable to comprehend the scene unfolding before her. Valerie hastily stepped back, releasing Miguel’s arm as if he had suddenly become contagious.
"Maya," Richard said calmly, turning his head toward me, his voice instantly softening. "Please take me to the main dining room. The air in this foyer has become remarkably foul."
"Of course, Mr. Vance," I replied, holding my head high as I pushed the chair past my pale, trembling ex-husband.
As we turned the corner toward the private dining wing, Richard leaned his head back slightly. "How was that?" he whispered.
May you like
"Incredible," I whispered back, my heart light for the first time in years. "Now, where is the study?"
"Second floor, west wing," Richard instructed quietly. "Ethan just went upstairs to retrieve the proxy ledgers. You have fifteen minutes before he returns to the dining hall."
