Chapter 5: Is this revenge

The moment the door shut, Noah rounded on her.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

Maya rose gracefully, her heels clicking "Doing what, Mr. Kaelston?"

"Don't play dumb, buying shares behind my back. Turning my own board against me. Is this revenge?"

She smiled faintly "Revenge?" She took a step closer, her voice smooth. "You give yourself too much credit."

Her hand brushed his shoulder briefly. "This is business. You, of all people, should know that”

She brushed past him, but before she could reach the door, his hand shot out, pulling her into a desperate embrace.

"Maya, please," he murmured against her hair. "Don't do this to me"

She froze for a second, then shoved him back with all her strength.

Her eyes blazed. "it's Ms. Bennett,” she corrected sharply "Remember that”

Noah swallowed hard

Maya adjusted her blazer "You have thirty minutes to clear your office. Security will escort you out if you're still here”

Without another glance, she turned and walked away.

And for the first time in years, Noah Kaelston stood alone in the company he built…watching it slip out of his hands.

******^******

Outside, Maya sat quietly in the backseat of her car. Through the tinted window, she watched Noah step out of the building that once belonged to him. He was holding a box…his things, probably.

He shoved the box into the trunk of his car, shoulders slumped.

"Ms. Bennett," her driver said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Where to now?"

Before she could answer, her phone buzzed with a message.

'Ms. Bennett, your package has arrived and is ready for pickup.

She looked up. "Head to Avenue Stores," she said softly.

The driver nodded and started the car.

The drive through the city was quiet. When they pulled up to Avenue Stores, the tall glass building gleamed in the afternoon sun. Maya stepped out, her heels clicking against the ground as she entered

The store manager spotted her immediately and hurried over.

"Welcome, Ms. Bennett. Please, come to my office, one of the girls will bring your package shortly”

Maya smiled faintly "No need, I will just look around while I wait"

"Of course, I will join you" the manager said quickly.

They walked side by side through the elegant displays—shelves of handbags, each piece artfully lit and beautifully crafted. The manager spoke about new collections, limited editions, and unique stitching techniques.

A few minutes later, a salesgirl approached, carrying a large, elegant box.

"Ms. Bennett, your package” she said, offering it carefully.

Maya opened the lid slightly and smiled. It was exactly what she'd ordered.

Before she could say anything, a loud commotion echoed from across the store.

"Where's that noise coming from?" the manager asked, frowning.

Another salesgirl appeared, walking toward them with one hand pressed to her cheek, eyes brimming with tears.

Then Maya saw her.

Venessa

Her heart skipped a beat. ‘I'm Venessa. I'm carrying your husband's child’ the voice from the past echoed in her head.

Maya turned away quickly, her fingers tightening around the box.

The manager's voice broke through the tension "What's going on here?"

The shaken salesgirl pointed behind her. "This woman…"

Before she could finish, Venessa shoved her hard.

The girl stumbled and fell.

"I am not this woman” Venessa snapped. "I'm Venessa Kaelston, a supermodel, actress and wife to Noah Kaelston. Remember that."

The room fell silent.

Venessa turned to the manager, nostrils flaring. "I ordered a Lurene bag that was supposed to arrive today, and this…” she gestured toward the girl on the floor, "this incompetent thing told me it was sold out. How is that possible?"

The manager cleared his throat. "Ms. Kaelston, there must be some mistake. The Lurene bag isn't available for public sale. Only one was made, and it was pre-ordered for a specific client."

Venessa's eyes narrowed. "What client?"

Before he could respond, Maya turned back around, calm and composed, the faintest smile on her lips.

Venessa's expression froze. Then she sneered. "You”

Her voice was laced with spite as she glared at the box in Maya’s hand "How much did she pay you?" she barked at the manager. "I will double it"

"I'm sorry, ma'am" the manager said firmly "it's not for sale"

"Shut up!" Venessa spat "I want that bag, and I'm getting it"

Maya handed the box to the sales girl beside her, before taking a slow step closer to Venessa, her tone smooth and cold

"Really?" she said softly, tilting her head. Then, leaning close to her ear, she whispered "Too bad... you can't have this one."

Venessa's jaw clenched. "You act all high and mighty, but everyone knows what you are." she hissed. "A woman who sleeps her way to investments for that pathetic MB Studios"

Maya didn't flinch. "Funny," she said, her voice even "Because I was about to say the same thing about you"

Venessa's expression twisted with rage. She raised her hand to slap Maya but Maya caught her wrist mid-air.

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" Maya said quietly, eyes locked on hers. "I built everything I have with hard work. You? You sleep with directors for little screen time. That's the difference between us"

She pushed Venessa's hand away and straightened her blazer.

Before Venessa could respond, the manager stepped forward with two uniformed officers.

"Officers, please remove this woman from the premises,"

Venessa's eyes widened. "What? You can't do that! I didn't do anything!"

The officers took her by the arms as she struggled.

"Let go of me, you idiots!" she screamed, heels scraping against the floor.

The glass doors closed behind her, and the store fell quiet again.