Chapter 9 — The Mother-in-Law’s Crusade
“Ms. Vance,” the head of lobby security said over the line, his tone a mix of professional restraint and utter bewilderment. “There is a woman down here causing a massive disturbance. She claims she is your mother-in-law. She’s demanding to see your ‘manager’ to get you fired.”
I let out a harsh, genuine laugh. Florence. Of course. In her warped mind, the collapse of NexoCloud was somehow the fault of the poor little secretary practicing dark magic. She had come to the Ironwood Tower expecting to find me fetching coffee.
“Keep her there,” I said, standing up and smoothing my jacket. “I’ll be right down.”
I rode the private glass elevator down to the grand lobby. The ground floor of Ironwood Capital is a sprawling expanse of white Italian marble, indoor waterfalls, and security checkpoints that rival the Pentagon.
As the elevator doors parted, the sound of Florence’s screeching echoed across the marble.
“She is a thief and a liar!” Florence was screaming at one of my senior female Vice Presidents, whom she had apparently mistaken for a receptionist. “She stole from my son! Bring out Charlotte Davis right now! I know she scrubs floors in this godforsaken building!”
Florence raised her hand, fully intending to slap the Vice President across the face.
Before her hand could descend, two massive men in black suits stepped in, catching her wrist in a vice grip.
“Let go of me!” Florence shrieked.
“Stand down,” I called out.
My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the lobby like a blade. Instantly, the sea of employees, executives, and security guards parted, forming a wide path for me. As I walked forward, men and women in thousand-dollar suits nodded respectfully.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Vance,” the Vice President said, stepping back.
Florence stood frozen, her wrist still held by security. She stared at me, her eyes darting from my immaculate suit to the deferential posture of everyone in the room.
“Charlotte?” she stammered, confusion warring with her inherent rage. “What… whose clothes did you steal? Why are these people bowing to you? Get over here and explain yourself!”
“I don’t explain myself to trespassers,” I said, stopping a few feet from her. I looked at my Director of Security. “Marcus, could you please clarify the situation for our guest?”
Marcus, a towering ex-military man, stepped forward. He looked down at Florence with absolute disdain.
“Ma’am,” Marcus said, his voice rumbling through the quiet lobby. “You are currently causing a disturbance in the private, flagship headquarters of Ironwood Capital. A building that is personally owned by our Chairman and CEO, Ms. Charlotte Vance.”
Florence’s mouth opened and closed like a dying fish. She looked at me, then at the marble, then back at me, her entire worldview shattering into dust.
