The rain had stopped only minutes before Marcus Reed arrived at the headquarters of Sterling Global.
The enormous glass building stood in the center of the financial district, reflecting the gray afternoon sky. Its upper floors disappeared into the clouds, and its polished entrance was guarded by two security officers who looked as though they had been trained to recognize expensive watches, tailored suits, and people who belonged.
Marcus did not look like someone who belonged.
He wore a faded brown jacket, dark jeans, and worn sneakers. A black backpack hung from one shoulder. His short hair was slightly damp from the rain, and his expression was calm, almost unreadable.
He stopped in front of the entrance and looked up.
For a moment, he seemed to be remembering something.
Three years earlier, he had walked through those same doors wearing a company badge and carrying a laptop full of designs that could change the future of aviation. He had been one of Sterling Global's most promising engineers. His ideas had helped the company win contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Then everything had changed.
A project had failed. A report had disappeared. A dangerous mistake had been blamed on the one person who had repeatedly warned management about it.
And Marcus Reed had become the easiest person to sacrifice.
He had lost his position, his reputation, and nearly everything he had spent a decade building.
But he had never forgotten what happened.
Today, he had returned for one reason.
He wanted the truth.
He walked toward the entrance.
Before he could reach the doors, an older man in an expensive navy suit stepped outside. His silver hair was perfectly combed, and his polished shoes reflected the wet pavement. He was accompanied by a woman in a fitted black suit, whose expression was cold and impatient.
The man was Richard Sterling, the founder and chairman of Sterling Global.
Beside him stood Vanessa Cole, the company's chief financial officer.
Richard noticed Marcus immediately.
His expression changed.
"Absolutely not," he said.
Marcus stopped.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Sterling."
Richard looked him up and down.
"What are you doing here?"
"I requested a meeting."
"You requested a meeting?" Richard repeated, almost laughing. "With whom?"
"With you."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Security should have stopped you at the entrance."
"I showed them my identification," Marcus replied.
Richard glanced at the backpack on Marcus's shoulder.
"Your identification? What identification could you possibly have?"
Marcus reached into his jacket and removed an old employee badge.
The photograph was slightly faded, but the name remained visible.
MARCUS REED.
Richard stared at it for a second.
Then he laughed.
"You're still carrying that?"
"It was never officially deactivated."
"Your employment ended three years ago."
"I know."
"Then perhaps you should understand that you no longer have any business here."
Marcus looked at him calmly.
"I understand that very well. That's why I asked for a meeting instead of simply walking inside."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Mr. Reed, this is a private corporate facility. You cannot come here whenever you feel like it."
"I didn't come here to cause trouble."
"Then leave before you do."
Marcus looked from Vanessa to Richard.
"I have documents concerning the Orion project. I believe you should see them."
The mention of Orion changed Richard's expression.
Only slightly.
But Marcus noticed.
Vanessa noticed, too.
"That project is closed," she said quickly.
"Then there should be no problem reviewing the records."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Those records are confidential."
"Exactly."
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The wind moved through the plaza, carrying the smell of wet concrete and traffic.
Richard took one step closer.
"Listen carefully, Reed. Whatever story you've convinced yourself of, it doesn't change what happened. You made a serious mistake. The company gave you every opportunity to explain yourself. You refused to accept responsibility."
Marcus did not raise his voice.
"I accepted responsibility for my own work. I never accepted responsibility for yours."
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
"That's enough."
Richard turned toward the security officers.
"Escort him away."
One of the guards approached.
Marcus did not resist.
He simply adjusted the strap of his backpack.
"Before you do that," he said, "you might want to ask Mr. Sterling why the Orion safety report was deleted."
Richard's face hardened.
"Get him out of here."
The guard placed a hand near Marcus's shoulder.
Marcus stepped away without making a scene.
He looked at Richard one final time.
"You have spent three years telling everyone that I destroyed your company. I came here today to give you one last chance to correct that."
Richard scoffed.
"You're not in a position to give me anything."
Marcus nodded.
"That's what you think."
He turned and walked toward the street.