Chapter 5: The Arrival at Vance Tower
The towering glass facade of Vance Tower gleamed under the gray midday sky, reflecting the heavy clouds that threatened rain. The sleek black town car pulled into the subterranean executive garage, parking in the reserved slot marked with the gleaming gold crest of the corporation. Julian was the first to exit, holding the portable carrier containing the twins with a newfound, desperate care. Elena stepped out behind him, her expression a masterclass in untouchable executive authority, flanked by two private security guards who had met them at the garage bay.
"Bring them up to the penthouse suite," Elena instructed the guards without breaking her stride toward the private elevator bank. "And notify legal that I want a complete background sweep conducted on Nurse Clara Jennings immediately."
Julian stopped by the elevator doors, his jaw tightening. "Leave the nurse out of this, Elena. She was just doing her job."
"Her job was handing over stolen property," Elena retorted, tapping the elevator call button with sharp impatience. "She had a flash drive in her scrub pocket, Julian. Do you honestly think a maternity nurse carries encryption tech for routine documentation?"
Julian stared at his wife, a cold dread washing over him. "A flash drive? How do you know that?"
"Because I notice details that escape your notice," she said as the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
They ascended in silence to the seventieth floor, where the corporate headquarters opened into a vast expanse of polished marble, floor-to-ceiling windows, and minimalist design. Employees hurried past with tablet computers and hurried whispers, entirely unaware that the founders of the empire were carrying a domestic war zone into the executive wing.
Once inside the private boardroom, Julian placed the carrier gently onto the mahogany conference table. The babies stirred, sensing the shift in environment, and let out soft whimpers. Julian sank into a leather chair, rubbing his temples as a splitting headache began to throb behind his eyes.
"I need a drink," Julian muttered, standing up to walk toward the executive bar built into the walnut wall.
"Save it," Elena said, unbuttoning her suit jacket and tossing it over the back of her chair. She strode toward her desk, where her personal assistant had already laid out the morning briefing. "We have forty-five minutes before the board meeting. I need you composed, Julian. We are presenting the new pediatric division, and having the heirs present will solidify investor confidence."
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Julian poured a glass of water, his hand shaking slightly. He looked at his wife across the vast room, realizing with chilling clarity that she viewed their children not as family, but as props for a corporate presentation.
***
