Walking down the hall with an executive binder in hand was Clara, a young junior administrative assistant wearing a cream vest over an olive blouse. She stopped beside the cart, looking directly at Croft.
"He isn't bothering anyone, Mr. Croft," Clara said politely yet firmly. "He's just doing his job before the shareholder session begins."
Croft’s face hardened into a scowl of pure, bureaucratic arrogance. He took a menacing step toward Clara.
"Defend him again, and don't come back tomorrow."
Chapter II: The Phone Call Outside the Glass
Clara didn't back down. She stood her ground beside the elderly worker, refusing to lower her gaze in the face of executive intimidation.
The old man slowly stopped pushing the mop handle. He turned his head toward the glass partition, looking through the transparent wall at the assembled board of directors inside.
At the head of the massive mahogany table sat a prominent, high-backed leather executive chair.