Chapter 12 - THE MASQUERADE
The next morning, Vance Global Headquarters was surrounded by press vans, security guards, and curious onlookers.
The annual shareholder meeting was set to begin at 10:00 AM, with Arthur Sterling scheduled to take control of the company.
At 9:15 AM, a commercial cleaning van pulled into the underground service bay of the skyscraper.
Three figures dressed in gray overalls and high-visibility vests stepped out, carrying heavy toolboxes.
Julian adjusted his cap low over his face, feeling his pulse race against his ribs.
Emily checked her concealed earbud, verifying that Marcus was patched into the building's internal audiovisual system.
"Elevator shaft B is clear," Marcus whispered over the comms. "Keycards are cloned."
They slid through the service door, bypassing the main security turnstiles unnoticed.
As they rode the freight elevator up toward the 80th floor, Julian looked at Emily.
"If this goes wrong, Emily, I want you to run," Julian said solemnly.
"We finish this together, Julian," she answered without hesitation.
The elevator chimed quietly as it reached the 79th floor, right below the main auditorium.
May you like
They stepped out into the carpeted hallway, where two armed guards were stationed outside the private executive stairwell.
"Leave them to me," Emily whispered, slipping two small stun batons from her maintenance belt.
