Chapter 12 - Storming the Citadel
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Two weeks after the wedding, Daniel Mercer arrived at the corporate headquarters of Stonebridge Meridian Partners without an appointment.
At 10:08 a.m., my assistant’s voice came through the intercom: "Ms. Lane, Mr. Mercer is in the main lobby. Security is holding him, but he’s causing a major scene demanding to speak with the Chief Executive."
Evelyn Hart, who was reviewing a portfolio report in my office, looked up. "Do you want me to have security throw him out?"
"No," I replied, standing up and buttoning my suit jacket. "It's time he sees the truth with his own eyes."
I took the private executive elevator down to the ground floor.
When the brass doors slid open, the lobby was silent. Two muscular security officers stood on either side of Daniel, keeping him from advancing toward the inner gates. He looked disheveled—his suit was wrinkled, his hair unbrushed, and dark circles shadowed his hollow eyes.
"Rebecca?!" Daniel shouted when he saw me step off the elevator. "What are you doing here? Did you follow me?!"
I walked toward him, my heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor. "I work here, Daniel."
"I know you said you worked downtown, but this is Stonebridge!" he sneered. "I'm here to see the CEO! The person who actually runs this place!"
Evelyn Hart stepped out of the elevator behind me, accompanied by the head of legal affairs.
The front desk staff immediately stood at attention, bowing their heads respectfully. "Good morning, Ms. Lane."
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Daniel froze. His eyes slowly shifted from the bowing staff to the security badge pinned to my lapel, and finally to the massive bronze plaque mounted on the lobby wall:
STONEBRIDGE MERIDIAN PARTNERS — REBECCA WHITMORE LANE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
