Chapter 11 - The Name on the Screen
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Emily hated the executive floor the moment the elevator doors opened. It was a different world up here. The carpet was so thick it swallowed the sound of her footsteps. The air smelled of sanitized wealth and cold brew coffee.
Her new hospital-appointed lawyer had asked her to drop off some signed affidavits at the legal compliance office on the 40th floor. Emily sat in a sleek, uncomfortable leather chair in the waiting area, clutching her manila folder, feeling acutely aware of her faded jeans and cheap sneakers.
Mounted on the pristine white wall was a massive flat-screen television, quietly broadcasting a live feed of the annual Bennett Health Group Leadership Conference happening downtown.
Emily was ignoring it, staring at her phone, until the polished voice of the announcer echoed through the quiet lobby.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our President and Chief Executive Officer, the man leading our network into the future… Alexander Bennett.”
Emily glanced up at the screen idly.
A man stepped onto the brightly lit stage. He was wearing a dark, impeccably tailored suit and a crisp white shirt. His expression was controlled, authoritative, and devastatingly confident.
Emily stopped breathing.
It was the same broad shoulders she had watched hunch over her broken fan. It was the same hands Noah had covered in blue crayon just two days ago. It was the same jawline, the same intense eyes, the same mouth that had smiled at her in the rain.
Behind him, massive digital letters flashed on the screen:
ALEXANDER BENNETT - PRESIDENT & CEO
A violent ringing started in Emily’s ears. Her fingers went completely numb, the manila folder slipping from her grasp and spilling papers onto the expensive carpet.
The receptionist behind the marble desk smiled proudly at the screen. “He’s brilliant, isn't he? Mr. Bennett hates giving long speeches, though. He’s expected back here in ten minutes.”
Emily turned her head slowly, staring at the receptionist with wide, horrified eyes. “You… you know him?”
The receptionist looked confused by the question. “Of course. He owns the hospital, honey.”
Just then, the heavy oak doors of the main conference room swung open. A swarm of executives and lawyers began filing out into the lobby.
And then, stepping off the private elevator at the end of the hall, he appeared. Not Jack the maintenance man. Alexander Bennett, the billionaire. Two assistants flanked him, handing him documents as he walked.
May you like
He looked up. Across the sprawling lobby, his eyes locked onto Emily.
And in that fraction of a second, he knew it was over.
