Chapter 6
The towering glass facade of Apex Systems gleamed brilliantly under the crisp autumn sun, reflecting the surrounding city skyline like a giant mirror of steel and glass. Clara’s beat-up sedan pulled smoothly into the visitor parking lot, stopping near the grand revolving doors of the main lobby. Maya sat in the passenger seat for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Her reflection in the side mirror showed a determined young woman ready to face the lion in its den.
"Remember," Clara said, turning off the engine and placing a reassuring hand over Maya’s trembling fingers. "Stay calm, stick to the technical facts, and don't let them bait you into an emotional argument. You have the truth on your side."
"I've got this," Maya said, offering a small, appreciative smile.
They stepped out of the car and walked briskly toward the entrance. The lobby of Apex Systems was vast and imposing, featuring gleaming white marble floors, minimalist modern art sculptures, and a high-security reception desk staffed by two guards in crisp black uniforms.
As they approached the front desk, Maya slid her ID card forward, but the security terminal flashed a sharp crimson warning light, accompanied by an audible digital chime.
The security guard behind the counter, a burly man with a stern expression, looked down at his monitor, then up at Maya with narrowed eyes. "I’m sorry, Ms. Miller. Your access badge has been permanently revoked by corporate security as of 8:00 AM this morning."
Maya felt her stomach drop, but she forced herself to maintain her composure. "I understand. I’m not here as an employee today. I need to schedule an urgent meeting with Marcus Vance regarding a critical security breach."
The guard shook his head firmly, tapping a few keys on his keyboard. "Mr. Vance’s calendar is entirely booked, and company policy strictly prohibits barred personnel from entering the premises without a formal subpoena."
Before Maya could argue further, a familiar voice echoed across the marble lobby. "Is there a problem here, Officer?"
May you like
Maya turned her head and felt her breath catch in her throat. Striding across the lobby was her father, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, accompanied by two corporate security officers. His face hardened instantly as he locked eyes with his daughter, his expression shifting from corporate calm to cold fury.
"What is she doing here?" her father demanded, stepping directly up to the security desk and glaring at Maya with undisguised hostility. "I specifically instructed HR to blacklist her employee profile company-wide."
