Daniel shook his head.
"I need authorization from the recipient."
Eleanor stared at him.
"You are a mailroom employee."
"Yes."
"I am an executive."
"Yes."
"And you're telling me no?"
Daniel took a breath.
"I'm saying I can't open another employee's private package without authorization."
The room became silent.
Eleanor's face hardened.
"Do you know who I am?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
"Then perhaps you should think carefully before speaking to me like that."
"I'm not trying to disrespect you."
"You already have."
Daniel lowered his eyes.
"I apologize."
Eleanor picked up the package.
"You people are always hiding behind rules."
Daniel said nothing.
She looked at him.
"What is your name?"
"Daniel."
"Daniel what?"
"Daniel Park."
"Mr. Park."
"Yes."
"You've been here long?"
"Eleven months."
"Eleven months and you already think you know how this company works."
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't."
"Then remember this."
She stepped closer.
"People like you are replaceable."
Daniel's expression barely changed.
But something inside him tightened.
He had heard those words before.
Not from her.
From other people.
People who believed a mailroom uniform meant a person had no future.
Eleanor turned away.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
"Yes?"
She listened.
Her expression changed.
"Now?"
Another pause.
"Fine."
She ended the call.
Then looked at Daniel.
"Leave."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
He walked away.
But before he reached the elevator, Eleanor called him back.
"Daniel."
He turned.
She held up the package.
"Take this downstairs."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
"And next time someone tells you to do something, don't question them."
Daniel looked at her.
"Yes, ma'am."
He took the package.
He walked toward the elevator.
The doors opened.
He stepped inside.
And just before the doors closed, he heard Eleanor say,
"Unbelievable."
Daniel looked down.
His phone was vibrating in his pocket.
He pulled it out.
One message.
FROM: UNKNOWN NUMBER.
"Don't let her make you doubt yourself."
Daniel frowned.
He looked around.
No one was inside the elevator.
Another message appeared.
"You did exactly what you were supposed to do."
Daniel stared at the screen.
Then the elevator reached the mailroom.
He stepped out.
His supervisor, Mr. Harris, was waiting.
"Daniel."
"Yes?"
"Where have you been?"
"Executive floor."
"Everything okay?"
Daniel nodded.
"Yes."
Mr. Harris looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
Daniel forced a smile.
"Yes."
Mr. Harris lowered his voice.
"Ms. Whitmore?"
Daniel nodded.
"She was upset."
"She's always upset."
Daniel laughed quietly.
Then he noticed something.
A black phone was sitting on the mailroom desk.
It wasn't his.
He picked it up.
The screen was unlocked.
A message was visible.
"Meeting moved to 10:00. Don't tell Eleanor."
Daniel frowned.
He knew he shouldn't read it.
He placed the phone back.
Then another message appeared.
"She cannot know about the transfer."
Daniel froze.
The phone buzzed again.
"Daniel."
He looked around.
Mr. Harris was across the room.
Daniel picked up the phone.
The message continued.
"Bring the phone to conference room 38B."
Daniel stared.
He recognized the name attached to the phone.
Jonathan Blake.
Chief Operating Officer.
Daniel had seen him many times.
He was one of the highest-ranking executives in the company.
Daniel looked at the clock.
9:47.
He carried the phone upstairs.
When he reached the executive floor, he saw Eleanor.
She was standing outside the conference room.
She immediately noticed him.
"What are you doing here?"
Daniel held up the phone.
"I found this."