"He didn't do anything wrong, Ms. Sterling," Ethan spoke up, his voice steady despite the murmurs from the surrounding crowd. "The floor is clean. He's been working since five in the morning."
Victoria turned slowly, her eyes narrowing into venomous slits as she stared at the young employee.
"Defend him again," Victoria whispered with chilling arrogance, stepping into Ethan's space, "and don’t bother coming back tomorrow."
Ethan did not drop his gaze. He stepped closer to the elderly man, placing a supportive hand near the mop bucket.
"Everyone here deserves dignity, regardless of their title."
Victoria sneered, turning on her heel toward the VIP elevator bank. "You're fired. Security, escort him out after he surrenders his pass."
Chapter III: The Call to the Eleventh Floor
The surrounding crowd looked away in uncomfortable silence.
The old man slowly straightened his posture. The frail, trembling fatigue vanished completely from his features. His steel-blue eyes sharpened with formidable authority.
Reaching into the pocket of his worn work trousers, the elderly man pulled out an encrypted black smartphone.