"I know."
"And because of the nature of this event, we need to make sure everyone belongs here."
Eleanor nodded.
"Of course."
Victor glanced at her clothes again.
"Perhaps you misunderstood the invitation."
Daniel looked at Victor.
"Sir—"
Victor raised his hand.
"Daniel."
The young receptionist stopped.
Victor turned back to Eleanor.
"You may wait over there while we verify your ticket."
Eleanor looked toward the corner.
"Of course."
She walked slowly toward the waiting area.
Daniel watched her.
Something about the interaction bothered him.
He had seen Victor behave badly before.
But tonight felt different.
Eleanor wasn't causing a problem.
She wasn't demanding anything.
She wasn't being rude.
She simply had a ticket.
And yet Victor had already decided she didn't belong.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
The lobby became more crowded.
Guests began arriving in expensive cars.
Victor greeted them personally.
"Mr. Collins! Wonderful to see you."
"Mrs. Davenport, welcome."
"Senator, it's an honor."
But Eleanor remained standing quietly near the wall.
Daniel noticed.
He walked over.
"Mrs. Whitmore?"
She turned.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry about the delay."
She smiled.
"You don't need to apologize."
"I can take you to your seat."
Daniel looked toward Victor.
Victor was talking to an important donor.
Daniel made his decision.
He picked up Eleanor's handbag.
"Please."
Eleanor smiled.
"Thank you."
They started walking.
They had taken only a few steps when Victor noticed.
"Daniel!"
Daniel stopped.
Victor walked toward them.
"I told you to wait."
Daniel looked at him.
"Her ticket has been verified."
"By whom?"
"By the ticket system."
Victor's jaw tightened.
"I said wait."
Eleanor gently touched Daniel's arm.
"It's okay."
But Daniel didn't move.
"Mr. Hale, she has a valid ticket."
Victor stared at him.
"You seem very determined to make this difficult."
Daniel swallowed.
"I'm just doing my job."
"No."
Victor stepped closer.
"Your job is to follow instructions."
Daniel nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Then follow them."
Victor turned toward Eleanor.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I apologize for the inconvenience, but we cannot simply allow people into restricted areas because they have tickets."
Eleanor looked at him.
"Then what would you like me to do?"
Victor smiled coldly.
"Wait."
"For how long?"
"Until we determine whether your ticket is legitimate."
Eleanor looked at the ticket in her hand.
Then she looked at Victor.
"Very well."
She returned to the waiting area.
Daniel followed her with his eyes.
Something inside him felt wrong.
Ten minutes later, a staff member approached Victor and whispered something.
Victor's face changed.
He looked toward Eleanor.
Then at Daniel.
Then back toward the staff member.
"Are you certain?"
The staff member nodded.
Victor dismissed him.