Chapter 4
The lobby gradually returned to a semblance of normalcy as the maintenance crew swept away the last glittering fragments of the shattered glass sconce. The guests drifted back toward the lounges and elevators, though whispered conversations still buzzed in corners, casting sideways glances at Julianne, who had retreated to a velvet settee near the reception desk, her face burning with humiliation.
Elena took a slow, deep breath, letting the adrenaline fade from her system. Her hands were no longer trembling, but the weight of the encounter lingered in her mind. Working at the Grand Horizon was supposed to be a temporary bridge—a way to support her younger brother through his final year of college while she saved for her own architectural design degree. She had learned early on to make herself invisible, to blend into the background of luxury so that she could earn her wages without drawing unwanted attention. Today had shattered that anonymity.
“Are you alright, Elena?” asked Marcus, a senior bellman who had witnessed the entire ordeal from his station near the revolving doors. He walked over, handing her a small paper cup of water.
“I’m fine, Marcus. Just a little shaken,” Elena admitted, taking the cup and sipping the cool water gratefully. “I didn’t expect my afternoon to involve saving the matriarch of the Vance family.”
“You did the right thing, and you stood your ground against Julianne Parker,” Marcus said, a low whistle escaping his lips. “Nobody talks to Julianne that way and survives socially. She practically runs the charity committee in this city. But Arthur Vance? He’s on a completely different level. He built his tech empire from the ground up, and he doesn’t tolerate bullies. You’ve got a powerful ally now, whether you wanted one or not.”
“I don’t need an ally, Marcus. I just need to finish my shift, pay my rent, and keep my head down,” Elena said with a faint, tired smile. Yet, as she looked up toward the third-floor mezzanine where Arthur’s corporate offices were located, a quiet curiosity stirred within her.
By the time her shift drew to a close at five o’clock, Elena had changed out of her maid uniform and into a simple, professional navy blue blouse and tailored trousers. She smoothed her dark hair, which was now unbound and falling past her shoulders, and made her way up to the third floor. The executive suites were a stark contrast to the bustling ground-floor lobby; here, the carpets were thick, the lighting was muted, and an aura of profound quiet reigned.
May you like
She found the frosted glass door bearing Arthur Vance’s name. Before she could knock, the door swung open smoothly, revealing Arthur standing in the center of a spacious, impeccably organized office that overlooked the glittering city skyline.
“Come in, Elena,” Arthur said, gesturing toward a pair of leather armchairs arranged near the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Please, sit down.”
