Stone Rich: Her 1st Experience

Chapter Nine: The Hunt Begins - Malaya

Malaya sat at her desk, staring at the wall of windows overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking, but today, she wasn't paying attention to it. Her mind was locked in a battle of strategy and survival. Sebastien Stone thought he could rattle her, disrupt everything she had built, but he was about to learn the hard way that Malaya Richardson never backed down. She fought tooth and nail for what was hers, and she wasn't going to lose.

The past few days had been grueling. From the moment she'd left his office, her mind had been racing. Every instinct told her that the situation with Sebastien was far more dangerous than she'd initially realized. It wasn't just business with him—it was personal, and that made him a threat unlike any she'd ever faced.

But Malaya was nothing if not resilient. She'd taken the time to review every piece of information they had, watching her employees closely, and now she had a game plan. She wasn't going to let Sebastien get the best of her again. If he thought she'd take this lying down, he was in for a rude awakening.

Her eyes flickered to her phone, which sat silently on her desk. Dani was out now, meeting with the four brokers they'd lost to Sebastien's antics. Malaya had sent her to not only recover what they'd lost but to lay the groundwork for new alliances. New up-and-coming brokers who had no ties to Stone Industries. It was a risky move, but Malaya trusted Dani implicitly. They'd been through worse before, and they always came out stronger on the other side.

Still, Malaya knew she couldn't rely on her team alone this time. There was something about Sebastien—something calculating and relentless—that required a different kind of approach. That's why she had taken matters into her own hands.

Reaching into her drawer, Malaya pulled out the business card she'd stashed there days ago. The name printed on it was unassuming, but the man it belonged to was anything but. James Bradford, Private Investigator. She had hired him without telling anyone, not even Dani. She needed someone on the outside, someone who could follow Sebastien without being noticed and dig up every piece of dirt that would bring him down.

She picked up her phone and dialed his number. It rang twice before he answered, his voice smooth and professional.

"Bradford."

"It's Malaya Richardson," she said, her voice steady. "Any updates?"

"I've been following Stone like you asked," Bradford replied. "So far, nothing out of the ordinary. He keeps a low profile—runs his company, lives in a high-rise downtown, and spends his evenings in private clubs. But I'm still digging."

"Keep digging," Malaya said firmly. "I want everything. His past, his connections, any weakness we can exploit."

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Bradford spoke again. "If you're looking to find something on this guy, it won't be easy. Stone's careful. But everyone has secrets."

"I don't care how long it takes," Malaya said, her jaw set. "I'm not letting him blindside me again. The next time we meet, I'm going to be the one with the upper hand."

"Understood," Bradford said. "I'll keep you posted."

Malaya hung up the phone, her heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and determination. Sebastien had made a mistake—he'd underestimated her. He might have thrown her off balance once, but that was the last time. The next time they crossed paths, she would be ready.

Pushing away from her desk, Malaya stood up and began pacing the room. She had spent the last few days monitoring her employees, watching for any sign of disloyalty. She was convinced the mole was still inside her company, feeding Sebastien information that was allowing him to sabotage her progress. It enraged her, the thought that someone she trusted could betray her so deeply.

Her thoughts shifted to the upcoming meetings Dani had scheduled. Reclaiming the four brokers they had lost would be the first step in turning the tide. Malaya trusted Dani to handle the negotiations, but the real victory would come when she signed on new talent. It was a bold move, but Malaya needed to outflank Sebastien at every turn. Diversifying their partnerships would make it harder for him to undercut her again.

Sitting back down, Malaya flipped through the financial reports once more. Every line item had been scrutinized, every transaction analyzed for anomalies. Her eyes lingered on a series of expenses she hadn't noticed before—tiny, insignificant on their own, but together they formed a pattern. Someone was siphoning off resources. A leak from the inside, no doubt.

"Who are you?" she muttered under her breath. "And why?"

Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away from the documents. It was a text from Dani.

**All four meetings went well. I think we're back on track with the brokers. Meeting with the new ones tomorrow. Stay sharp, Lay. I've got this.**

Malaya smiled, grateful for Dani's steadfast loyalty and tenacity. If anyone could bring them back from the brink, it was her. But still, Malaya couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Sebastien wasn't the type to give up easily, and whoever was feeding him information wasn't finished yet.

She tapped out a quick reply.

**Great work. Let's regroup tomorrow and go over the next steps. We can't afford any missteps.**

With a deep breath, she set her phone down and leaned back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling. Her mind raced, calculating every possible move, every potential outcome. Sebastien had rattled her, yes—but that only fueled her determination to fight harder.

This was her legacy, her dream, and no one—least of all a man like Sebastien Stone—was going to take it from her.

She'd clawed her way to the top, and she'd fight with everything she had to stay there. Whether it was tracking down the mole or uncovering Sebastien's darkest secrets, Malaya would stop at nothing to protect what was hers.

The next time they met, she wouldn't be caught off guard. She'd be ready—and this time, she'd be the one holding all the cards.

And when it came time to play them, she would make sure Sebastien Stone learned the price of underestimating her.