Chapter 7 - The Press Release
News in the high-society circles of the city traveled faster than wildfire.
By Friday morning, the financial blogs and tabloid columns were buzzing with the explosive headline: TECH TITAN MARCUS STERLING FILES FOR EMERGENCY DIVORCE AND SOLE CUSTODY; WIFE OUSTED IN DRAMATIC MIDNIGHT EVICTION.
Photos of Maya being escorted from the mansion with her designer luggage had somehow leaked to the press, plastered alongside aerial shots of the sprawling estate. Socialites who had once fawned over Maya at charity galas suddenly found themselves mysteriously "busy" whenever her name came up in group chats.
Marcus didn't read the tabloids. Instead, he stood in his home office, drafting a formal, concise press release to be distributed to the major business journals.
“Effective immediately, Marcus Sterling is transitioning from active daily operations at Sterling Global Logistics to focus on family commitments. All media inquiries regarding personal matters will be handled by Sterling, Vance & Miller.”
It was clean, professional, and left no room for gossip.
David Vance walked into the office just as Marcus hit 'send' on his keyboard.
"The stock market reacted predictably," David noted, sitting down in one of the leather armchairs. "Down two points initially on the news of your executive shift, but stabilizing rapidly as institutional investors realized you aren't leaving the board. Wall Street respects a man who knows when to fix his own house."
"Let them talk," Marcus said, leaning back in his executive chair. "For the first time in my life, I don't care what the ticker tape says."
"Good," David smiled faintly. "Because you're going to need that clear head. Maya’s defense attorney just filed a motion for spousal support and asset division, claiming she was unfairly ambushed."
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Marcus let out a cold, humorless chuckle. "Spousal support? After embezzling trust funds and abusing my child? Tell her attorney that if she sets foot in a courtroom, we will introduce the complete unedited nanny cam archives into public record. Let’s see how her social standing survives that."
David raised an eyebrow in mock admiration. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Marcus."
