Chapter 6 - VANESSA’S SURPRISE
Vanessa stood in the marble lobby of 740 Park Terrace, tapping her manicured nails impatiently on her Birkin bag.
"I don't understand the issue," she said haughtily to Marcus, the head concierge. "I am Mr. Daniel Whitmore’s executive administrator. Mr. Whitmore explicitly told me that Penthouse B was prepared for my arrival this morning. Take my bags up immediately."
Marcus, an unflappable professional who had worked in the building for twenty years and who knew me well, didn't move an inch.
"I apologize, Ms. Vance," Marcus replied with frozen politeness. "Mr. Whitmore is not on the premises. Furthermore, his access to Penthouse B has been permanently terminated."
Vanessa gasped in disbelief, pulling off her sunglasses. "Terminated? Do you have any idea who he is? He owns that penthouse! His mother is Vivian Whitmore!"
"The owner of Penthouse B is Mrs. Claire Avery," Marcus stated evenly. "And Mrs. Avery has issued a strict trespass notice. You are not permitted in the elevator, the lobby, or the residential amenities."
Before Vanessa could unleash the tantrum brewing on her face, two private security guards hired by Arthur Pendelton stepped out from the private lounge, flanking her luggage.
Arthur’s junior associate, a sharp young attorney named Elena Chen, stepped forward with a clipboard.
"Ms. Vanessa Vance?" Elena asked.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I represent Claire Avery," Elena said, handing Vanessa a crisp white envelope. "This is an immediate notice of eviction from the corporate apartment on 54th Street, which is currently leased under an Avery Trust subsidiary. You have forty-eight hours to vacate the premises. Additionally, this is a formal summons to appear before the ethics committee of Whitmore Capital. Forensic accounting has flagged over eighty-four thousand dollars in unauthorized expenses billed to Mrs. Avery’s trust account under the guise of 'executive travel' over the past six months."
Vanessa’s face turned an ashen shade of grey. "What? No... Daniel said that was his corporate expense account!"
"Daniel Whitmore has no corporate expense account that isn't underwritten by the Avery Family Trust," Elena replied smoothly. "And as of two hours ago, every cent has been frozen. I suggest you call a cab, Ms. Vance. Your luggage cannot remain on these premises."
The bellhop immediately released the handles of her designer suitcases, stepped back behind the concierge desk, and left Vanessa standing in the middle of the crowded lobby, surrounded by whispering doormen and staring residents.
May you like
Her phone began to buzz wildly in her purse. It wasn't Daniel. It was Vivian, calling from the bail bondsman’s office, desperate for money that Vanessa didn't have.
***
