Chapter 17: Threads of the Past

The air felt heavy as Maya and Ryan sat in silence. The café's background chatter and clinking dishes seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of her own heartbeat thudding in her ears. She stared at Ryan's hand, still resting over hers, and felt the warmth of his presence. Yet the weight of Amanda's words refused to let her settle.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Ryan asked, his voice low, careful.

Maya hesitated, her mind spinning. Could she even begin to explain? Her father's legacy, Amanda's cryptic revelations, the idea of a hidden network controlling industries—it all felt surreal.

"I… I don't even know how to start," she admitted, pulling her hand back and running it through her hair. "It's like my entire life is tied to things I didn't even know existed. My father's business dealings, his vision for me—it's all so much bigger than I thought."

Ryan leaned back, his expression steady but thoughtful. "Okay. Let's take it one step at a time. What did Amanda say to you?"

Maya swallowed hard, replaying the conversation in her mind. "She said my father had plans for me. That he wanted me to take over something bigger than Catalyst. Apparently, I'm supposed to be part of this… network of people who control industries. And now Amanda is offering me the chance to step into that world."

Ryan's brows knitted together. "What kind of network are we talking about? Like a business alliance?"

"I don't know," Maya admitted. "But it sounds… powerful. Like it's more than just business. Amanda said it's about trust and influence. She made it sound like some exclusive club of decision-makers."

Ryan's jaw tightened. "And she wants you to join it?"

Maya nodded slowly. "Yes. But she didn't say why she's so invested in this—or what her angle is. All I know is that my father was deeply involved, and now she thinks it's my turn."

Ryan studied her for a moment, his sharp gaze searching for something. "Do you trust her?"

The question hit harder than she expected. Did she trust Amanda? Her instincts told her to be wary, but there was something about Amanda's demeanor—her vulnerability, however fleeting—that hinted at sincerity.

"I don't know," Maya admitted. "She seemed genuine, but… I can't shake the feeling that there's more she's not telling me."

Ryan crossed his arms, his voice firm. "Then don't rush into anything. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that people don't hand out power for free. There's always a catch."

Maya's chest tightened. "That's what scares me. What if I've been a pawn in this all along? My father's plans, my career—it feels like everything I've worked for might not have been my choice."

Ryan reached out, his hand resting on her arm this time. "Listen to me, Maya. You've built something incredible on your own. No matter what your father planned or what Amanda says, you've earned your success. That's yours. Don't let them take that away from you."

His words grounded her, if only for a moment. But the weight of the situation lingered, and she couldn't ignore the pull of curiosity—or the nagging sense of responsibility.

"What if it's not just about me, Ryan?" she whispered. "What if this legacy, this… network, could actually make a difference? What if I could do something meaningful with it?"

Ryan frowned, his grip tightening slightly. "And what if it's a trap? You need to figure out what you're walking into before you make any decisions. We'll figure this out, but you have to be careful."

Maya nodded, a flicker of resolve building within her. "You're right. I need answers—real answers."

"Then let's start digging," Ryan said, his tone resolute. "If your father was involved in something this big, there has to be a trail. And I'm willing to bet Amanda isn't the only one who knows about it."

Maya felt a small surge of gratitude for his support. She wasn't alone in this, and that made all the difference.

As they left the café, the cold air bit at her skin, but Maya barely noticed. Her thoughts were consumed by the questions swirling in her mind.

Who was her father, really?

What had he left behind for her to uncover?

And what would it cost her to find the truth?

Unbeknownst to Maya and Ryan, a figure watched them from a shadowed corner of the street, their phone pressed to their ear.

"They're leaving now," the figure murmured. "Yes, she's interested. But we'll need to move quickly. She won't stay in the dark for long."

The call ended with a soft click, and the figure melted into the crowd, unnoticed.

Maya's journey into her father's world was just beginning, and the choices ahead would test her in ways she couldn't yet imagine.