Higher Dimension.6
Thanksgiving was just days away, but Ava felt a deep chill despite the cozy warmth of her penthouse. The space was filled with festive decorations for an upcoming charity event: a giant turkey centerpiece, flickering candles scented with cinnamon and clove, and garlands of autumn leaves draped over the furniture. It was elegant, perfect even. But the very perfection of it made the empty feeling in Ava’s chest more pronounced.
Ava’s mind drifted back to her family’s Thanksgivings—the sound of her children laughing, the warm chaos of a small kitchen overflowing with noise and love. She could almost hear Noah’s giggles as he sneakily stuffed extra marshmallows into the sweet potatoes, or Emily’s excited commentary during the Thanksgiving parade. She pictured Alex, struggling to peel potatoes with focused clumsiness, and Lily in her high chair, smearing mashed potatoes across her face with gleeful abandon.
The memories felt like a warm embrace but also cut like a knife, and Ava quickly turned away from them, focusing instead on the upcoming fundraiser. “Let’s get this show started,” she said to her assistant, forcing a smile that felt more like armor.
The ballroom at an upscale hotel had been transformed into a lavish Thanksgiving-themed charity event, complete with tables piled high with holiday favorites, a silent auction, and plenty of champagne. The event was meant to raise money for small cannabis businesses struggling against Victor Cain’s monopolistic tactics. Ava moved through the crowd with grace, shaking hands, making small talk, and keeping her public persona polished.
As she stepped up to the podium, Ava felt a momentary tightness in her throat. She looked out over the audience, her gaze sweeping past the well-dressed attendees, many of whom had also felt the sting of Victor’s ruthless business practices.
“The cannabis community is built on resilience,” Ava began, her voice steady but tinged with a vulnerability that felt closer to the surface than usual. “And tonight, we’re here to ensure that spirit continues.”
For a fleeting moment, she thought of Noah’s goofy “turkey dance,” a Thanksgiving tradition that had always brought laughter to their home. The memory made her voice falter, but she quickly recovered, pushing the pain aside to focus on the cause that had always driven her.
After her speech, Ava circulated among the guests. She spoke passionately with representatives of independent cannabis businesses, all of whom were grateful for her efforts to support them. Rob, Dana, and Sophia found her in the crowd as the night wound down.
“You were great up there,” Rob said, handing her a glass of champagne. “But you seem…distracted.”
Ava managed a small smile. “I’m always thinking about them,” she admitted, her eyes distant. “But staying busy helps.”
Dana put a hand on her shoulder, her voice soft. “You’re doing a lot of good, Ava. But you don’t always have to carry it alone.”
Ava nodded, appreciating the concern, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on her feelings. The fight against Victor demanded all of her focus, especially now.
The next morning, Ava’s world was turned upside down.
A loud, insistent banging on her front door jolted her awake. Still groggy, she stumbled to open it, only to be greeted by several stern-faced police officers.
“Ms. Green, you’re under arrest for financial fraud and conspiracy,” one of them announced.
Ava’s breath caught, her heart pounding. “There must be some mistake,” she protested as they cuffed her wrists, the cold metal biting into her skin. Cameras flashed from the hallway as reporters shouted questions, capturing her shock and humiliation.
The ride to the station was surreal, each bump in the road jarring her from the disbelief into a burning anger. She knew this was Victor’s doing—an attempt to crush her spirit and discredit her efforts. But the reality of being in police custody, her reputation hanging by a thread, made the threat painfully real.
In the interrogation room, two officers sat across from Ava, their faces stern and impassive.
“Tell us about the offshore accounts linked to your charity fund,” one officer demanded.
Ava’s voice was calm, though her heart still raced. “I have no offshore accounts,” she stated firmly. “This is a setup.”
The officers were unyielding, pressing her with questions designed to trip her up. Ava maintained her composure, knowing that Victor’s goal was to shake her confidence as much as her credibility. After hours of interrogation, Ava’s legal team, along with Rob, Dana, and Sophia, managed to secure her release. The charges were dismissed, labeled as a misunderstanding caused by a misinterpreted transaction. But Ava knew better—it was Victor’s message, delivered loud and clear.
Outside the station, Rob was the first to speak. “This was more than just a stunt,” he said, his voice low. “Victor’s not playing games.”
Ava nodded, her expression hardening. “I know. But he’s not going to break me.”
Sophia looked both relieved and worried. “You’re okay for now, but this won’t be the last time he tries to hit you where it hurts.”
Ava’s jaw clenched, a fierce determination replacing the initial shock. Victor had taken his shot, but she wasn’t going to back down.
Within hours, news of Ava’s arrest exploded across media outlets. Headlines blared: “Cannabis Queen Ava Green Arrested on Fraud Charges.” Despite her quick release, the damage to her reputation was undeniable. Ava’s phone buzzed relentlessly with calls from reporters, colleagues, and friends trying to make sense of the situation.
The fallout hit hard when one of Ava’s biggest sponsors, a major organic cannabis brand, called to withdraw its support.
“We’re sorry, Ms. Green,” the representative said over the phone, her tone distant. “We can’t risk our brand’s reputation. We’ll be withdrawing our sponsorship immediately.”
Ava felt a surge of anger as she hung up. She had expected Victor to play dirty, but the financial implications were worse than she had anticipated. Losing this sponsor threatened the stability of her show, and her frustration was palpable as she prepared for an emergency board meeting at The Ava Green Show headquarters.
The boardroom, once a space where Ava felt confident and in control, now felt cold and hostile. Executives and board members sat around the table, their faces a mix of concern and irritation.
“We need to address this situation immediately,” one board member began, not bothering to sugarcoat the issue. “The arrest, even if it was a misunderstanding, has caused serious backlash. We’ve already lost a major sponsor.”
Ava nodded, keeping her voice steady. “I understand the concern, but the charges were clearly false and orchestrated by Victor Cain.”
Another board member, visibly frustrated, leaned forward. “Ava, this is a business and lifestyle network. If you want to solve mysteries, go be a private investigator. But this network—the one you helped build—is not a news network. That’s not what our viewers signed up for.”
The words cut deep. Ava had shaped this network, built its mission and audience. Now, the very essence of what made her a valuable asset was becoming a liability.
“I’m fighting for the integrity of the cannabis industry,” Ava replied, her voice edged with determination. “That’s always been a part of my mission.”
The room fell silent, the tension thick. Some board members looked impressed by her conviction, but others were clearly worried about the financial implications.
“We need to find a balance,” another executive finally said. “Ava’s advocacy is important, but we can’t afford to alienate our viewers or lose more sponsors.”
Ava left the meeting feeling both defiant and disheartened. She was caught between fighting for the truth and navigating a world that prioritized profit over principles.
Back at her penthouse, Ava stared out the window as the sun set, painting the sky with fiery colors. The view reminded her of Thanksgiving evenings back home, with Chris pulling out board games and the kids diving into leftover pie. The memories were bittersweet, but they also fueled her resolve.
“If I can’t be with my family this Thanksgiving,” Ava whispered to herself, “then I’ll make this world worth fighting for.”
That night, she gathered Rob, Dana, and Sophia for an emergency meeting. Her voice was steady as she outlined her next moves.
“We need new sponsors,” she said firmly. “Ones who understand what we’re up against and won’t back down.”
“And what about the exposé on Victor’s political connections?” Sophia asked, her eyes sharp.
Ava nodded, a determined glint in her eyes. “We go public. This isn’t just about clearing my name—it’s about taking Victor down, once and for all.”
Her friends exchanged looks of concern, but they were committed to Ava’s mission. They knew the risks, and they were ready to face them together.
As her allies left, Ava stood alone by the window, the city lights flickering below. She wasn’t the overwhelmed mother she once was—she was a fighter, more determined than ever to bring down Victor and reshape this world.
Thanksgiving might be lonely this year, but Ava was ready to turn her isolation into strength. The battle was far from over, but she wasn’t backing down. She was only just beginning.
