Chapter 4 - The Locked Gates
Monday morning arrived with a brilliant, golden sunrise over the city skyline.
I sat in the back of my Maybach, wearing a sharp, custom-tailored white suit, sipping a warm cup of herbal tea.
My personal driver pulled up to the towering glass skyscraper of Vanguard Holdings.
As we approached the main plaza, I saw a familiar, pathetic figure arguing with the lobby security guards.
It was Brendan.
He looked absolutely terrible.
His clothes were wrinkled from sleeping in them, and his hair was a chaotic, greasy mess.
He was frantically slamming his employee ID badge against the electronic turnstile, but the light kept flashing a harsh, angry red.
"Do you know who I am?!" Brendan yelled at the lobby guard. "I am the Vice President of Acquisitions! This machine is broken!"
The guard, who had already been briefed by Vance, looked at him with bored pity.
"Sir, your credentials have been permanently revoked. If you don't step away, I will call the police."
I stepped out of the Maybach, flanked by four personal security details.
The sheer presence of my entourage caused the busy lobby to fall completely silent.
Employees stopped in their tracks, staring in awe as the elusive, secretive owner of the company finally made a public appearance.
Brendan turned around and saw me.
His eyes widened in shock as he took in my immaculate appearance and the absolute authority I commanded.
"Cassidy!" he shouted, trying to run toward me.
My guards instantly formed a wall of muscle, blocking his path.
"Cassidy, tell them!" Brendan pleaded, his voice cracking. "Tell them it's a mistake! I need to get to my office!"
I stopped and looked at him through the gap between my guards.
"Your office?" I echoed, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "You mean the janitor's closet on the fourth floor? Because that's the only room you're qualified to clean, Brendan."
A few employees in the lobby couldn't help but snicker.
"You can't just erase me!" he screamed, tears of frustration forming in his eyes.
May you like
"I didn't erase you," I said calmly, walking toward the private, VIP elevator that required retinal scanning. "You erased yourself when you forgot who paid for your crown."
The elevator doors closed, leaving Brendan trapped in the lobby to be dragged out by security.
