Chapter 7 - Champagne Before the Fall
Three weeks after my hospital discharge, I walked into Vanguard Enterprises wearing a tailored charcoal Tom Ford suit.
My injuries had improved considerably, although I still attended rehabilitation sessions and avoided unnecessary physical strain.
I carried myself carefully.
Not because I was afraid.
Because I had learned that dramatic entrances were more effective when nobody knew an entrance was happening.
The glass lobby reflected the morning sunlight.
Marble pillars framed a towering reception desk.
Employees hurried between elevators carrying laptops and coffee.
And near the executive lounge, my aunt and uncle were drinking champagne.
At ten in the morning.
Some things never changed.
Richard wore a navy suit with an expensive pocket square.
Martha had selected an ivory designer ensemble and oversized pearl earrings.
Clara stood beside them in a silk couture dress more appropriate for a celebrity wedding than a corporate leadership presentation.
She was checking her appearance in her phone.
I stepped behind a marble pillar.
Not hiding exactly.
Observing.
"I hear the new Chairman is ruthless, Richard," Martha said, adjusting her pearls. "We need to make sure Clara gets the Vice President position before the restructuring begins."
Richard smirked.
"Relax, Martha. We built the logistics division of this company from the ground up."
I nearly smiled.
We?
He continued.
"Whoever this anonymous billionaire is, they need us. We're untouchable."
Clara looked up from her phone.
"Do you think that little rat Elena ever made it?"
Martha took a delicate sip of champagne.
"Who cares? She's probably scrubbing toilets in some filthy dive bar. Trash always stays in the gutter."
I studied her reflection in the polished marble.
Ten years ago, that sentence would have destroyed me.
Now it was simply information.
Clara smoothed her dress.
"Well, I hope the new boss is attractive."
Richard chuckled.
"Just make a good impression, sweetheart."
"Obviously."
Martha leaned toward her daughter.
"Remember, confidence. You're a Bennett. Leadership runs in your blood."
I glanced at my watch.
Nine minutes until the official transition meeting.
Richard gestured toward the private elevator.
"Come on. The board members are gathering."
The three of them crossed the lobby.
As they waited for the elevator, Clara noticed a young receptionist carrying a tray of bottled water.
"Excuse me?"
The receptionist stopped.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Could you find something sparkling? Still water makes me feel bloated."
The woman nodded.
"Of course."
"And hurry. We're meeting the new Chairman."
I recognized the receptionist from the personnel directory.
Her name was Lily Chen.
She worked two jobs while completing a business degree.
After Clara disappeared into the elevator, I approached the desk.
"Good morning, Lily."
She looked up.
"Good morning. Can I help you?"
"Don't worry about the sparkling water."
She blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"I heard the conversation. You have more important things to do."
Her cheeks reddened.
"Ms. Clara can be a little demanding."
"Yes. I've noticed."
I handed her my visitor clearance.
She scanned it.
The computer screen changed.
Her eyes widened.
Then she looked at me.
Then back at the screen.
"Oh."
I smiled.
"Please don't announce me yet."
"Of course, ma'am."
She straightened so quickly that I almost laughed.
"Would you like me to call security?"
"No need. Daniel is upstairs."
I walked toward the second elevator.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Northstar's security director appeared.
Personal discretionary transactions requested through the restricted entities have been suspended pending compliance review. Evidence preservation complete.
I acknowledged it.
Then another message arrived.
Thomas Hale has been located. He is safe and willing to provide the envelope.
Relief loosened the tension in my shoulders.
The elevator doors opened.
I entered alone.
As it ascended, I remembered Richard's voice from the hospital.
Take this hundred bucks and crawl back to the gutter.
I touched the inside pocket of my jacket.
The check was still there.
I had kept it.
Not because I needed the money.
Because some gifts deserved to be returned personally.
On the executive floor, Daniel greeted me outside a private conference room.
He wore a dark suit and held a tablet containing the board's final briefing materials.
"Everything is ready."
"How's Richard?"
"Very confident."
"Clara?"
"She asked whether the new chairman was married."
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Of course she did."
Daniel smiled.
"The directors are waiting."
He led me through a side entrance into the chairman's private office.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city.
A large mahogany desk occupied the center of the room.
On it stood a silver nameplate.
ELENA BENNETT
CHAIRWOMAN
I looked at it for several seconds.
Daniel remained silent.
Finally, I asked, "How long until the meeting?"
"Four minutes."
"Good."
I removed the hundred-dollar check from my jacket and placed it inside a cream envelope.
Then I wrote Richard's name across the front.
Daniel watched.
"What's that?"
"A family heirloom."
He wisely decided not to ask further questions.
Across the corridor, the boardroom doors opened.
Richard's voice echoed into the hallway.
"I understand the incoming chairman appreciates decisive leadership. Fortunately, that's always been my specialty."
Clara laughed.
Martha agreed enthusiastically.
I picked up my folder.
Daniel reached for the door.
"Ready, Elena?"
I looked at the nameplate one last time.
Ten years earlier, Richard had locked a door in my face.
Today, he was waiting behind another one.
May you like
Only this time, I owned the building.
"Open it."
