Chapter 5 - Whispers in the Boardroom
The next morning, Avery returned to the apartment, her face set in a mask of determination. Elena was waiting, her laptop open, a map of the city displayed on the screen.
“I’ve been doing some digging into the land,” Elena said, her voice hushed. “It’s not just land. It’s what’s underneath it. There’s a massive deposit of rare earth minerals that have been discovered recently. The Sterlings are trying to get their hands on it before anyone else finds out.”
Avery stared at the map, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. It wasn’t just about the baby. It was about the power. The Sterlings were playing a game of chess, and she was the pawn they were trying to sacrifice.
“They’re going to use their influence to rezone the area,” Elena continued, her voice growing more intense. “They’re going to force your father’s estate into bankruptcy and then swoop in and take it for a fraction of its value.”
“Not on my watch,” Avery said, her voice ringing with defiance. “I need to get to the city council, and I need to get there before they can finalize the zoning changes.”
“It’s a long shot,” Elena warned. “They own half the council.”
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“Then we need to find the other half,” Avery said, her gaze fixed on the map. “We need to find the people who are tired of being stepped on. We need to build a coalition.”
Avery felt a surge of strength. She was no longer fighting for her life; she was fighting for her legacy. And she was going to win.
