Chapter 7: The Security Escalation
The sleek glass lobby of my downtown office building was a fortress of corporate security. Uniformed guards stood behind a polished granite desk, monitoring digital turnstiles and security feeds with absolute vigilance. Nathan strode through the revolving doors, his suit jacket flapping open, his face twisted in righteous anger.
He marched straight up to the security desk, slamming his palm against the marble counter. "I need visitor clearance to the sixtieth floor," he demanded loudly. "Name is Nathan Vance. I'm here to see my wife, Claire Vance."
The head security guard, a towering ex-Marine named Marcus, looked up slowly from his monitor. He didn't blink, nor did he look intimidated by Nathan’s agitated state. "Do you have an appointment scheduled with Ms. Vance today, sir?" Marcus asked calmly.
"An appointment? She’s my wife! I don't need an appointment to see my own wife!" Nathan snapped, earning the attention of several passing executives. Marcus checked his digital tablet, tapping the screen a few times before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Mr. Vance, but your name is not on Ms. Vance’s approved visitor registry."
"Are you out of your mind?" Nathan roared, stepping aggressively closer to the desk. "Call her right now and tell her Nathan is down here! She'll answer me!" Marcus pressed a silent button under the desk, signaling two backup guards to approach from the side corridors.
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"Sir, I must ask you to lower your voice and step away from the security desk immediately," Marcus warned, his hand resting casually near his utility belt. Just then, the private elevator bank chimed softly, and I stepped out into the lobby accompanied by two regional directors. I was reviewing a tablet, discussing contract logistics, when the commotion caught my attention.
I paused, looking across the vast marble floor to see Nathan trapped between two burly security guards. His face flushed beet red when he spotted me standing there in my immaculate designer suit. "Claire! Tell these idiots who I am!" he yelled, pointing a shaking finger at me.
