“Here. Since you won't pick up the others.”
Angela stepped back.
The bill dropped between them.
“Don't touch me again.”
Vanessa froze.
Then she smiled.
“Or what?”
Before Angela could answer, a voice came from the reception desk.
“Mrs. Whitmore, please stop.”
Everyone turned.
Emily stood behind the counter, trembling.
Vanessa's eyes widened.
“What did you say?”
Emily clasped her hands.
“I said, please stop. Ms. Brooks hasn't done anything wrong.”
Vanessa stared at the young receptionist as though she had committed an unforgivable betrayal.
“You're taking her side?”
“I'm just saying she has a confirmed appointment.”
Vanessa took two quick steps toward the desk.
“Do you understand what happens to employees who challenge me?”
Emily's face drained of color.
Angela moved slightly between them.
“Enough.”
The word was neither loud nor theatrical.
But something in Angela’s voice changed the room.
Vanessa turned.
“Who do you think you are?”
Angela looked at the frightened receptionist.
Then at the money scattered across the floor.
Then at Vanessa.
“My name is Angela Brooks.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Congratulations. You've learned to introduce yourself.”
Angela continued.
“I founded Meridian Global Holdings twenty-one years ago.”
A man near the elevator suddenly straightened.
Claire looked up sharply.
Angela held Vanessa's gaze.
“Six weeks ago, Meridian acquired Sterling & Vale.”
The lobby became completely silent.
Vanessa blinked.
“So?”
Angela spoke slowly.
“I own Meridian.”
Vanessa stared at her.
“And Meridian owns this company.”
For an instant, nobody moved.
The words seemed to remain suspended beneath the chandeliers.
Then Vanessa laughed.
It began as a small chuckle.
Within seconds, it became an exaggerated, high-pitched performance.
“Oh, that's wonderful!”
She clapped her hands.
“Everyone, our mystery visitor claims she owns the company!”
Angela watched her calmly.
Vanessa threw her head back.
“What's next? Are you going to tell me you're the president of the United States?”
Nobody laughed.
Vanessa glanced around.
“Come on. That's funny.”
But the employees' faces had changed.
The uncertainty was gone.
Something much closer to fear had replaced it.
Angela did not reach for her phone.
She did not display a business card.
She simply waited.
Because she could hear footsteps approaching from the executive elevator.
Michael Reeves emerged with three members of the leadership team.
He was fifty-eight, gray-haired, and usually composed.
When he saw Angela standing in the lobby, his expression transformed.
He walked quickly toward her.
“Ms. Brooks!”
Vanessa stopped laughing.
Michael extended his hand.
“Angela, I'm terribly sorry. We were told you had arrived, but I didn't realize you were already downstairs.”
Angela shook his hand.
“Good morning, Michael.”
He smiled nervously.
“Welcome to Sterling & Vale. It's an honor to finally meet you in person.”
Vanessa's lips parted.
Michael turned toward the gathered employees.
“For anyone who hasn't met her, this is Angela Brooks, founder and chairwoman of Meridian Global Holdings, our parent company.”
The silence that followed was almost painful.
Vanessa's face lost its color.
Her hand slowly dropped from her chest.
Michael noticed the money on the floor.
Then he noticed Vanessa.
“What's going on here?”
Nobody answered.
Angela looked at the scattered bills.
Then back at him.
“That's what I'd like to discuss.”
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
“Michael, thank goodness you're here. This woman has been behaving very strangely.”
Michael looked bewildered.
“Vanessa, this is Ms. Brooks.”
“I know who she says she is.”
Michael's expression hardened.
“It's not a claim. She's our owner.”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Yes, of course. I understand that now.”
Angela tilted her head.
“Now?”
Vanessa forced a smile.
“Clearly there was some confusion.”
“About what?”
“Your identity.”
Angela looked around the lobby.
“Was my identity the problem?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“I'm not sure I understand.”
“You assumed I was a cleaner.”
Vanessa's cheeks flushed.
“Well, I was simply trying to determine why you were here.”
“You told me I belonged at the staff entrance.”
“That was a misunderstanding.”
“You threw money at my feet.”
Vanessa glanced down.
“Just a little joke.”
“A joke?”
“Yes. Harmless office humor.”
Angela turned toward Emily.
“Did it seem harmless to you?”
Emily hesitated, glancing at Vanessa.
Then she looked at Angela.
“No, ma'am.”
Angela nodded.
“Thank you.”
Vanessa snapped.
“Emily, that's enough.”
Angela turned back immediately.
“Don't threaten her.”
“I wasn't threatening anyone.”
“You threatened to fire her for speaking up.”
Michael looked toward Emily.
“Is that true?”
The receptionist's eyes filled with tears.
“Yes, sir.”
Vanessa shook her head frantically.