Stepping forward from behind the brass guest podium was Maya, a young reception coordinator dressed in a cream vest over a sky-blue dress shirt, her employee badge hanging neatly from a black lanyard.
Maya looked past Sterling's shoulder, offering the elderly visitor an earnest, welcoming smile.
"Let me check his name first, sir," Maya said, reaching for her electronic check-in terminal.
Sterling’s smile vanished instantly. He turned on Maya with sharp, menacing venom, his eyes narrowing into cold slits.
"Do that," Sterling threatened in a low, vicious whisper, "and you're out of a job."
Maya froze for half a second. She glanced at the elderly man’s tired eyes, then looked right back at the powerful vice president, refusing to pull her hands away from the keyboard.
"Everyone on this register deserves respect, Mr. Sterling. I'm checking the schedule."
Sterling sneered, stepping aside to motion toward the building security guard: "Security, revoke her credentials the second she touches that screen—"
Chapter III: The Phone with the Antenna
The old man didn’t plead. He didn’t raise his voice or show anger.