The illusion.
The arrogance.
The certainty.
“The board is present,” the lawyer continued.
Board.
The word struck like thunder.
The director’s face drained of color. “No… that’s not ”
“Because the owner requested it.”
Silence collapsed over the room.
Richard turned slowly, his gaze resting on the receptionist. “You asked if I expected you to believe my name.”
Her hands trembled.
“I didn’t come to be believed,” he said.
“I came to see.”
And what he had seen… was enough.
He turned to the guard. “You humiliated a man you thought had nothing.”
The guard’s confidence shattered, replaced by something raw and desperate.
To the manager. “You turned cruelty into policy.”
The smile was gone now replaced by panic.
To the receptionist. “You made a choice.”
A pause.
“And you enjoyed it.”
Each word landed with the weight of judgment already decided.
“Terminate them.”