Chapter 6
The morning sun rose over Silicon Valley,
casting a harsh and unforgiving light on the sprawling Ether Innovations campus.
Julian arrived at the corporate headquarters at exactly seven o'clock,
hoping to beat the news cycle and convince the executive team that he was still in control.
He strode through the glass atrium,
trying to project his usual aura of untouchable confidence,
but the security guards at the front desk did not greet him with their customary smiles.
Instead,
they stood up stiffly,
crossing their arms and blocking his path to the private elevator banks.
Good morning,
Mr. Aaron,
the head of security said firmly,
his hand resting cautiously near his utility belt.
Julian frowned,
annoyed by the unexpected delay,
and swiped his black access card against the electronic reader.
The machine emitted a loud,
harsh beep,
flashing a bright red light that indicated his credentials had been completely revoked.
There must be a glitch in the system,
Julian said smoothly,
trying to hide the sudden,
terrifying flutter in his chest.
There is no glitch,
sir.
We have received direct orders from the new acting CEO to deny your entry to the building,
the guard explained,
his tone utterly devoid of any sympathy or respect.
Julian felt his face flush with intense heat,
the humiliation burning through him as several low-level employees stopped in the lobby to watch the scene unfold.
Who is the new acting CEO,
Julian demanded,
his voice rising in a desperate attempt to maintain his crumbling authority.
I am,
a familiar voice echoed through the vast glass lobby,
drawing every eye toward the grand staircase.
Eleanor descended the steps slowly,
wearing a sharp,
tailored white maternity suit that made her look powerful,
clean,
and completely untouchable.
She was flanked by a team of high-powered corporate attorneys,
and the company's chief financial officer,
who had clearly switched his allegiance during the night.
You cannot do this,
Julian shouted,
pointing a shaking finger at his pregnant wife,
completely losing his carefully cultivated temper.
I founded this company,
and I am the face of this entire industry.
Eleanor reached the bottom of the stairs,
stopping a few feet away from the security desk,
and looked at him with absolute pity.
You were the face of the company,
Julian,
but a face is easily replaced when it becomes a liability to the shareholders.
She snapped her fingers,
and one of her attorneys stepped forward,
handing Julian a thick manila envelope sealed with red tape.
Those are your personal belongings from your office,
Eleanor stated coldly.
We packed them for you,
to save you the embarrassment of doing it yourself under supervision.
Julian took the envelope,
his hands shaking so violently that he almost dropped it onto the polished marble floor.
You will hear from my lawyers,
he threatened weakly,
knowing deep down that he could not afford to fight her legal team.
I welcome the challenge,
she smiled softly.
Now,
May you like
please escort this man off my property,
before I have him arrested for trespassing.
