Chapter 10 - The Tower of Lies
The steel and glass spire of Vance Tower pierced the gray morning clouds, a monument to generational wealth built on deceit. At 6:45 AM, the executive lobby was empty, patrolled only by automated security drones and elite guards on Eleanor's payroll.
A sleek black SUV pulled into the subterranean parking garage. Ross remained behind the wheel, monitoring police scanners and coordinating with federal prosecutors who were preparing emergency seizure warrants.
Clara and Julian stepped out of the vehicle, both wearing dark trench coats. Clara kept her hand rested securely near the concealed weapon Ross had issued her, while Julian adjusted the sling supporting his injured arm.
""The executive elevator requires two biometric confirmations,"" Julian warned as they approached the private entrance. ""Mine and Eleanor's. If she locked my clearance, the system will trigger a lethal lockdown.""
""Then we’d better hope her arrogance bought us time,"" Clara said, stepping beside him onto the scan platform.
Julian pressed his palm against the glass plate. The scanner beamed blue light across his retina. A mechanical chime sounded: Vance, Julian. Executive Vice President verified.
The secondary prompt flashed red: Awaiting Primary Authorization.
Clara stepped forward. Instead of scanning her eye, she pulled a small silver pendant from beneath her shirt—a locket containing a microscopic microchip that Marcus had given her the night before he was murdered. She pressed the chip against the sensor terminal.
The red light flickered violently, cycling through encrypted code strings before flashing a brilliant emerald green.
Override Accepted. Welcome, Chairman Marcus Vance.
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The reinforced elevator doors slid open with a soft hiss. Julian turned to Clara, his expression a mix of awe and dread. ""Marcus built a dead-man switch into the entire network.""
""He knew she was going to kill him,"" Clara whispered, stepping inside. ""He made sure the door would only open for the ghost she couldn't bury.""
