Chapter 30: Chapter 30

I decided to go and speak to Mark. We should stop this cat and mouse game and behave like the adults we are.

"Maya, there's somewhere I need to be. I promise I will be back before you know it." Without waiting for an answer. I dashed out of Maya's office and went straight to Mark's office. As expected, he will not give me an audience.

I have shares in this company so I couldn't be denied access into the facility but Mark will not allow me into his office. I didn't know things could ever be this way between us. We used to be very close and after everything, I never wanted to be his enemy. I only wanted to protect Maya. She has been hurt enough and I could not see her continuously suffering like that. So everything I did, I did for her but I guess Mark takes everything personal. I can't even understand him trying to get back with Maya.

The bastard got married and broke her fragile heart. He has become so different from what he used to be. I never thought Mark will become a monster. Before I left, he sent his Executive Assistant to inform me that he knows why I am here and that it's too late. You will pay for this Mark, I thought to myself.

Maya's pov

I know Mark is definitely behind this. I never thought Mark could take things this far. I booked an appointment to speak to him in his office but he stubbornly turned down my appointment and told his Executive Assistant to tell me to say everything I wanted in court. Really?

I felt angrier than I have ever been. How could he set me up like this? I decided to have a meeting with my staff and find out who brought that letter. Since the CCTV cameras captured no stranger coming in or going out, it only meant whoever dropped the letter was in this company.

Tom suggested that we have individual meetings with each person which I thought was a great idea.

We started with the security, then the janitor, the operations, finance, and sales but we got nothing to hold on to. There was only one person we hadn't called and I knew she knew nothing about it being the office manager but Tom insisted we do.

So we called her in. After series of questions which she denied, we dismissed her but just before she walked out, I made her aware that, the content of the letter was a very serious one that could take me to jail. She instantly knelt and began to cry asking me to forgive her. I told her to tell me all she knew and that was when she began to speak.

"Two weeks ago, when we ordered the new furniture, I had already signed for its delivery. But I brought you a cup of tea before bringing the documents. I told you they were for the furniture delivery and you signed without reading. I added something to your tea to make you daze." She said bursting into tears.

I opened my mouth to say something but no word will come out. I could not believe that I just heard. My most trusted staff did this to me.

"But why?" Tom asked the question that could not come out of my mouth because of how surprised I was.

"Somebody told me to do it. He said he was not going to hurt you and he was only planning a surprise for you. I didn't know it could send you to jail" she cried. I knew she wasn't lying. I know she did not read the content of the documents she dazed me to sign. But the least she could do was letting me know who put her up to it.

"Who asked you to do this" Mark asked.

"He will destroy me if I mention his name". She said frightfully.

"You have to tell us, Lucky. If we don't prove that the documents were forged, we won't have anyway to defend ourselves." Mark said pleadingly.

He said he will tarnish my reputation and that of my family if I told you and he also threatened to make me lose my job if I don't do as he said. I am the eldest child for my parents and since they will be going on pension soon, all responsiblities will be on me so I did not want to lose my job, She said amidst tears.

"I promise to protect you if you tell us," Tom assured her.

"But you will fire me"..she cried looking at me.

"You confessed so we will do no such thing." Tom said.

"So will you now tell us who asked you to do all this?"

"Mr. Mark Snowman". She said.

"Thank you. You may leave." Tom said dismissing her.

"I am really sorry ma'am and I am sorry sir. She said walking out of my office. Immediately the door shut", Tom yelled.

"Damn you Mark".

"At least we have a witness right?" I asked with hope.

"No we don't." Tom said bluntly. I have never seen this side of Tom. I have never seen him this helpless. He has always found solution to every problem when it comes but I know his inability to have a headway with this is kind of fustrating him.

"If we put her on the witness stand, Mark will ruin her life. Besides, there's no proof to what she said. No video or document to show that Mark told her to do all that. He can flatly deny it and we will not be able to do anything about it. And knowing Mark, he might even sue us for character defamation." He said.

"What does he want from you?" He asked after the silence had fill the office with both of us being burried in our thoughts.

He won't speak with me. I said.

"And neither will he speak with me". He said

The last time he came here, he warned me to stay away from you or face the consequence. I said trying to remember his exact words.

"So all this is because of his jealousy? So childish of Mark." Tom said.

He had also told me to give him two years to make things right.

"How come you never told me?"

I didn't think it was necessary. Look, I want to stay away from him and I never knew he will go to this extent to keep me away from you. I explained to Tom. I couldn't bear him being disappointed at me.

"So when is the hearing?" Tom asked as if in serious thought.

In six months.

"Six what? What the hell? Why that long?" He asked with anger.

It's insane but I truly don't know. I think I should involve Sir Max, I said. Remembering his relationship with Mark's father. I doubt Mark's father has any idea of he knowing me. I think he could be of great help.

"Are you sure he can do something about a situation like this?"

Yes. Jude said he knew Mark's dad way back so he could pull some strings. I have never asked him for any favour since he left so I guess he won't mind helping this one time.

"Well, we have nothing to lose right"? He asked skeptically.

No and one more thing. Thank you very much Tom.