Chapter 3 - The Hostile Ex
The next morning, my supervisor told me to report to the top floor.
When the elevator doors opened to the penthouse executive suite, the atmosphere was completely toxic. Victoria was standing behind her massive mahogany desk, arguing furiously with a man in a bespoke Italian suit.
Julian Thorne. Victoria’s ex-husband, and a notoriously ruthless venture capitalist.
"You're unfit, Victoria!" Julian shouted, slamming his hand on the desk. "He had a public breakdown in the lobby! The board is terrified! If you can't control a defective child, how can you control a multi-billion-dollar software company? I'm filing for full custody, and I'm pushing for a vote of no confidence."
Victoria’s eyes blazed with a terrifying fury, but beneath it, I saw the sheer terror of a mother about to lose her child to a monster. Julian didn't love Leo. He just wanted to use the boy as leverage to seize her company.
"Mr. Vance," Victoria said, noticing me in the doorway.
Julian turned, looking me up and down with absolute disgust. "Who the hell is this? The janitor?"
"Arthur," Victoria said, ignoring her ex-husband. "Julian is claiming that Leo requires institutionalization. He brought his own 'medical team' to evaluate Leo this afternoon. I need you in that room."
Julian laughed cruelly. "You're bringing a mop-pusher to a psychiatric evaluation? You've lost your mind, Victoria."
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I stepped into the office, my heavy boots sinking into the plush carpet. I looked Julian dead in the eye.
"I don't push a mop, Mr. Thorne," I said calmly. "I maintain the environment. And right now, the environment is polluted."
