Chapter 4 - Infiltration at Vance Industries
Dr. Maya Lin. Chief Lead Researcher at Vance Industries.
Finding her public profile took less than ten minutes on professional networking sites. She was brilliant, highly decorated, and—most importantly—scheduled to speak at a medical symposium downtown the very next afternoon.
If I tried to approach her outside work, Arthur’s security team would intercept me. My only chance was to slip past security at the symposium, intercept her backstage, and hand her the absolute proof of her true identity before anyone could stop me.
The next afternoon, dressed in a borrowed catering uniform I bought off a coworker, I pushed a service cart loaded with bottled water through the back corridors of the Grand Apex Convention Center.
The air smelled of polish and expensive perfume. Through the double doors of the main auditorium, I could hear applause. Maya Lin had just finished her keynote speech.
Minutes later, the backstage area flooded with VIPs, assistants, and corporate handlers. Among them walked Dr. Maya Lin.
She was in her early forties, with sharp, intelligent eyes and an unmistakable posture of quiet confidence. She looked so much like the photographs of young Gloria in the ledger that my breath caught in my throat.
I stepped out from behind a partition, holding a tray out as a shield. "Dr. Lin? Excuse me."
She turned, looking slightly annoyed. "I’m sorry, I don't have time for interviews right now. Please talk to my PR coordinator."
"This isn't an interview," I said quickly, keeping my voice low and urgent. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a single, printed document—the birth certificate with Gloria's handwritten note—and slid it across the tray toward her. "You need to read this. It’s about your mother. Gloria Vance."
Maya stopped dead in her tracks. Her professional demeanor shattered instantly, replaced by a flash of pure shock and confusion. "What did you just say?"
"Her name was Gloria. She passed away three days ago. She was my wife," I whispered fiercely. "And Arthur Vance lied to you about everything."
Before Maya could respond, heavy footsteps echoed behind us.
"Dr. Lin! There you are," a smooth, chillingly familiar voice called out.
May you like
Arthur Vance stepped around the corner, flanked by two of his corporate security guards. His eyes locked onto me, narrowing instantly with recognition and venom.
"Ah, Mr. Hayes," Arthur smiled, though his teeth were clenched. "I see you don't know when to quit. Guards, grab him. And take that trash out of Dr. Lin's hands."
