Chapter Seven

ERIC CARVER

July 22, 2004

The New York City skyline stretched out beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of Eric Carver's corner office, a view he'd once found inspiring. Now, it only served as a backdrop to his seething rage. He sat at his mahogany desk, fingers drumming an angry rhythm on its polished surface, his mind replaying the humiliating scene in the Yukon forest over and over again.

Maya's words echoed in his head: "Go fuck yourself." The memory of her walking away from him, rejecting him, made his blood boil. And then that thing had appeared. Bigfoot. The very creature Maya had been obsessing over for years. The subject of countless arguments, eye rolls, and condescending remarks from Eric.

He couldn't believe it. Maya had been right all along.

"Goddammit!" Eric slammed his fist on the desk, causing his computer monitor to wobble precariously. A junior associate passing by his office jumped at the sound, scurrying away quickly when Eric shot him a venomous glare.

Eric ran a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair, messing it up in a way he'd never usually allow. How could this be happening? He was Eric Fucking Carver, top investment banker at one of the most prestigious firms in New York. He didn't get dumped. He didn't get made a fool of. And he certainly didn't let his girlfriend be kidnapped by some oversized, hairy freak of nature. No matter how much she deserved it.

A cruel smile twisted his lips. He bet she was regretting yelling at him now.

As his eyes fell on his computer screen, a thought began to form. Maya's research. Her notes. All those years of obsessive data collection and theorizing ... if Bigfoot was real, then that information was now priceless.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Eric's fingers flew across the keyboard. He'd set up backdoor access to Maya's computer months ago, ostensibly to "surprise her" with thoughtful gestures. Now, that necessary invasion of privacy was about to pay off in ways he'd never imagined.

As he sifted through Maya's files, a plan began to take shape in Eric's mind. This wasn't just about rescuing Maya anymore. No, this was about vindication. About proving to the world that Eric Carver wasn't someone to be trifled with. And if he could make a fortune in the process? Well, that was just good business.

Eric's eyes gleamed as he came across a folder labeled "Yukon Sightings." Inside, he found detailed maps, eyewitness accounts, and Maya's own theories about Bigfoot habitats. This was gold. But he needed more than just information. He needed muscle.

Picking up his phone, Eric scrolled through his contacts. He'd never been much of an outdoorsman himself, but he knew people who were. Rich clients with a penchant for big game hunting. Ex-military types who now led "extreme" wilderness expeditions. It was time to call in some favors.

"Hey, Jackson," Eric said smoothly when the first call connected. "Remember that bear hunting trip you were talking about? Well, I've got something even better for you."

Over the next few hours, Eric made call after call. With each conversation, his pitch became more refined, more enticing. He wasn't just offering a hunting trip; he was offering the chance to make history. To bag the ultimate trophy. To become legends.

By the time the sun began to set over Manhattan, Eric had assembled a team of five hunters. Each one was experienced and ruthless. These weren't men who asked too many questions or worried about the ethics of what they were about to do.

As Eric leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips, his office door opened. Samantha, his assistant, poked her head in.

"Mr. Carver? Your 4 o'clock is here."

Eric waved her off. "Cancel it. Cancel everything for the next week. I'm going on a business trip."

Samantha's eyebrows rose slightly, but she knew better than to question him. "Very well, sir. Shall I book your usual suite at the Four Seasons?"

"No," Eric said, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Book me on the next private flight to Whitehorse, Yukon. And get me in touch with a company that rents off-road vehicles. The more rugged, the better."