SARAYA’S POV;
I was driving with my thoughts preoccupied with Ian’s earlier action when a call came in through the dashboard of my car, disrupting my thoughts.
It was my secretary, I tapped on the screen. “What is it, I’m almost there.”
“Miss Saraya, you need to get here now. Law agents… they’re- they’re taking everything!”
“What?” My heart skipped. “Who? Why? What are they taking?”
“Documents, computers, everything. They’re saying it’s fraud-”
“Who are the they?” I asked.
“They are from the FBI.” He replied. “They’ve got a warrant, we couldn’t stop…”
I didn’t wait for him to finish. I ended the call and sped to the office, my pulse pounding in my ears. Fraud? That is impossible.
When I got there, the scene hit me like a slap. Officers in dark uniforms were everywhere. Files were being boxed up, computers unplugged, cabinets emptied. My employees stood huddled together, their faces pale and confused.
I shoved my way through the crowd. “What the hell is going on here?” I demanded, my voice cutting through the chaos.
A tall man, clearly in charge, turned to face me. “And you are?”
“I’m Saraya Newman, the CEO of the very company you’re in,” I said, standing as tall as I could. “Someone better start explaining why you’re tearing it apart.”
The officer looked me over, his face unreadable. “My name is officer Leo wright. We received a tip-off about fraudulent activities here. We’re executing a warrant to seize evidence.”
I blinked. Fraudulent activities? My chest tightened, but I kept my voice steady. “That’s absurd. This company does business and with zero fraud.”
“That’s for us to determine,” he said, his tone cool. “You’ll need to come with us for questioning.”
I stared at him, anger bubbling under my skin. “On what grounds? Who made this ‘tip’? Do you even have evidence?”
He didn’t flinch. “Ma’am, I suggest you cooperate. You can address your concerns at the station.”
I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to breathe. I wasn’t about to let them see me panic. My eyes darted to my secretary, who was standing frozen a few steps away.
“Call my father,” I mouthed. “Now.”
He nodded shakily and scrambled for his phone.
I turned back to the officer, my voice sharp and cold. “This is a mistake. Whoever tipped you off is lying. My company operates above board.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond. Instead, he gestured for me to follow.
I squared my shoulders and gave him a hard look. “Fine. I’ll come.”
I glanced one last time at my employees, at the chaos they’d created in my building, and swallowed the knot in my throat. I had no idea what kind of mess we were in or who gave out the tip but one thing was clear. They’d picked the wrong person to mess with.
ALEX’S POV ;
The phone almost slipped out of my hand as I couldn’t believe my ears.
“Wait-arrested?” I said, my voice louder than I intended. “What do you mean by she’s been arrested.?”
“Yes, sir,” the secretary repeated, his voice shaky. “The officers said it was related to fraud allegations against the company.”
Fraud? My Saraya? My chest tightened. She’d never-could never-be involved in something like that, especially when she has just taken the reins of the business.
I forced myself to focus. “Listen, call the legal team. Tell them to get to the station at their earliest. And remember, you most do everything you can to keep this quiet, block the story before it spreads, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
I hung up, tossing the phone onto the bed as I grabbed my jacket. My mind raced with plenty of thoughts running them. Fraud. Who would dare accuse her?
My mind went to Ian but without concrete evidence, I couldn’t bring myself to accuse him baselessly.
“Alex?” Mary’s voice startled me. I turned to see her standing at the door, worry etched across her face. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Saraya,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “She’s been arrested.”
“What?” Mary gasped. “Arrested? For what?”
I yanked my sleeves into place, shaking my head. “Fraud. At the company. But it’s nonsense, it has to be. I suspect this to be the work of my mother in conjunction with Ian.”
She shook her head. “You can’t just accuse them without any evidence.” She said.
“I know and it’s the only reason why I’m not on my way to them.” I replied while putting on shoes.
Mary stepped forward. “Do you need me to-”
“No,” I cut her off, my tone louder than I intended. “I’ll handle it.”
Just as I stepped into the hall, my mother and Ian appeared, blocking my path. My mother looked furious.
“What’s this about Saraya being arrested?” she demanded.
I froze but managed to hide it. “How do you even know that?”
“Don’t answer my question with another question,” she snapped, crossing her arms. “Is it true?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration taking over me. “Yes, okay? Yes. She’s been arrested. But I don’t have time for this right now.”
“Fraud, Alex?” My mother pressed, her tone disbelieving. “She has barely taken over the reins of the business and she is already doing all that she can to ruin the image of the family business.” She continues. “What a pleasant birthday gift from her.”
“Mom!” I snapped. “You know it’s not true, now if you would excuse me. I have an urgent matter to attend to.”
My mother shook her head. “You should tell me first how this happen so I can know how to step in?”
“I don’t know!” I shot back, louder than I intended. “And I won’t figure it out standing here. I need to go.”
“Then go,” my mother shot coldly. “But you’d better be ready to explain everything to the board as to why the company’s shares is plummeting, all thanks to your capable daughter.”
I didn’t respond. Pushing past them, I grabbed my car keys and headed for the door.
In the car, I gripped the wheel tightly taking my frustration out on it. “Whoever is behind this had just made the gravest mistake of their lives. I will make sure they regret doing such thing to my Saraya.” I vowed and sped off.
The drive to the station felt like it took hours, even though I was speeding. My mind was a mess, replaying the conversation with my mother and Ian.
Their reactions didn’t sit right with me. My mother’s words were cutting, as usual, but Ian… He had been too quiet. Too calm.
“Did he know this was coming? Could he have had a hand in it?” I clenched the steering wheel.
When I finally pulled into the station’s lot, I spotted the company’s legal team standing by the entrance.
Without wasting time, I stepped out of my car. I walked towards them and shook hands with them.
“Do everything possible to get Saraya’s out, I don’t mind the cost.” I said to them in a very firm before we all headed straight to the front desk.