Novels by Ezele Peace Eboselulu

Chapter 9: The ResolutionThe conference room buzzed with tense energy as Maya spread documents across the table. Christine Morris sat opposite her, meticulously organizing her own files—five years of environmental data, internal memos, and correspondence that painted a damning picture of Blackwood Industries' systematic violations."These water quality reports from the secondary discharge site," Maya said, holding up a thick folder. "You certified all of these personally?"Christine nodded firmly. "Every one. And I can testify to the alterations that were made before they were submitted to regulators."Daniel Reeves leaned forward from his seat beside Christine. "The numbers match what I found, but Christine's documentation has proper chain of custody. It's bulletproof."Marcus Hoffman, who had been silently reviewing legal briefs at the head of the table, finally looked up. "Nothing is bulletproof when you're dealing with Blackwood's legal team. But this—" he gestured at Christine's

Chapter 8: The MeetingNight had settled over the city as Maya and Luca made their way to a small Thai restaurant several blocks from the office. The streets hummed with the steady rhythm of evening traffic, headlights casting long shadows against the buildings. Maya had suggested the place—a quiet hole-in-the-wall with food that reminded her of home."Marcus isn't answering," Luca said, ending the call and sliding his phone back into his pocket. "I left a message."Maya nodded, her mind still turning over Blackwood's unexpected meeting request. "We can try again after we eat."The restaurant was warm and dimly lit, with a handful of occupied tables. The hostess—an older Thai woman with kind eyes—recognized Maya immediately and led them to a secluded corner booth."You come here often?" Luca asked as they settled in."It's my sanctuary when work gets overwhelming," Maya admitted. "Something about the food grounds me. Reminds me what I'm fighting for."Luca studied her face in the cand

CHAPTER SEVEN: BATTLE LINES"Defamation and tortious interference." Marcus Wellington's voice filled Luca's office the next morning as he paced in front of the windows. The veteran attorney's usually impeccable appearance was slightly rumpled, suggesting he'd been working since receiving their call the previous night. "It's aggressive, even for Blackwood."Maya sat beside Luca on the office couch, their shoulders nearly touching as they reviewed the lawsuit documents that had been delivered by courier at precisely 9:00 AM. The manila envelope had felt unnaturally heavy in her hands, weighted with the gravity of Blackwood's accusations."They're asking for two million in damages," Luca said, his voice calm despite the astronomical figure. "For a contract that never existed.""It's a scare tactic," Marcus replied, stopping his pacing to face them. "Blackwood doesn't expect to win this amount. He's trying to force you to settle—and more importantly,

CHAPTER SIX: NEW FOUNDATIONSThe bank's conference room felt unnecessarily formal, all polished mahogany and leather chairs that squeaked when you shifted your weight. Maya smoothed down her pencil skirt for the fifth time in as many minutes, glancing at the door. Luca was late, which was so unlike him that she had already checked her phone twice to make sure she had the correct time."More water, Ms. Chen?" The loan officer, a well-dressed woman named Patricia Dawson, gestured to the half-empty glass in front of Maya."No, thank you. I'm sure Mr. Rivera will be here any minute." Maya smiled with more confidence than she felt. After their confrontation with Blackwood yesterday, the last thing she needed was for the bank meeting to fall through.The door opened, and Luca strode in, looking immaculate as always in a charcoal suit that made his eyes appear even more intensely blue. But Maya could see the tension in his shoulders, the slight clench of his jaw."I apologize for the delay,

CHAPTER FIVE: THE CONSEQUENCES Maya stared at the ceiling of her apartment, counting the hairline cracks that spread like a map of roads to nowhere. Sleep had evaded her for the third night in a row. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Luca's face that perfect blend of concern and disappointment when she'd told him about her meeting with Blackwood Industries. She rolled over, punching her pillow into submission. The digital clock on her nightstand glowed an accusatory 3:17 AM. In less than five hours, she'd need to face him again at the office. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, throwing off her covers. The wooden floor was cold against her bare feet as she padded to the kitchen. Under the harsh light of the refrigerator, Maya poured herself a glass of water and leaned against the counter. The Blackwood proposal sat on her dining table, the edges of the folder curling slightly from how many times she'd opened and closed it. Twenty thousand dollars. Enough to clear her mother'

CHAPTER FOUR: THE DEPTHS Maya's Monday morning began with a headache and a text message from an unknown number. Impressive work with my mother. Not everyone earns her approval so quickly. She stared at her phone, wondering how Luca had obtained her personal number before remembering who she was dealing with. The Riccis probably had her entire digital footprint mapped before she'd even stepped into their offices for her interview. After a moment's hesitation, she typed back: Is this part of the standard employee onboarding experience? The response came seconds later: Only for employees who wear emeralds as well as you do. Maya felt her cheeks warm despite herself. She chose not to reply, instead focusing on getting ready for work. The weekend's events had left her unsettled, not just the moment on the balcony with Luca but the entire experience of being welcomed into the Ricci family's inner circle. It felt too easy, too comfortable, and that was dangerous. She needed to maintai