He Demanded a Divorce While I Was Recovering in the Hospital—He Didn’t Know I Was the True Power Behind His Empire

A bright orange traffic cone sat in the middle of the spot. A sign was taped to it: MAINTENANCE.

“Idots,” Mark muttered. “Can’t they do maintenance at night?”

He parked in a visitor spot three rows back. He grabbed his briefcase and strode toward the private elevator. This was his sanctuary. The elevator that bypassed the commoners and went straight to the 50th floor.

He held up his black key card to the scanner.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP.

A red light flashed. ACCESS DENIED.

Mark frowned. He tapped it again. Harder.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP. ACCESS DENIED. CARD INVALID.

“What is wrong with this place today?” Mark kicked the wall. “I’m firing the Facilities Manager. Incompetence everywhere.”

He stormed toward the public elevators in the main lobby. He hated mixing with the staff in the morning. They stared. They wanted things. But he had no choice.

He walked into the lobby. It was a cavernous space of glass and steel, echoing with the footsteps of three thousand employees.

Mark walked with his chest out, expecting the usual nods of deference. Instead, he felt a strange energy. People were whispering. Heads were turning, but not in respect. In curiosity.

He reached the security turnstiles. He slapped his card on the reader.

BEEP-BEEP-BEEP.

Locked.

The line behind him stalled.

“Excuse me, sir,” a junior analyst said timidly. “The line…”

“Do you know who I am?!” Mark spun around, his face flushing red. “I am the CEO! This machine is broken! Get out of my way!”

He tried to jump the turnstile.

“Sir! Step back!”

Three security officers materialized from the side. They weren’t the usual lobby greeters. These were the elite guard. Tactical vests. Earpieces. Stone faces.

“My card isn’t working,” Mark barked at the lead officer. “Open the gate. I have a strategy meeting in ten minutes.”

“Mr. Miller,” the officer said calmly. “Your card isn’t working because it has been deactivated.”

Mark blinked. “Deactivated? By whom? I run this building!”

“We have orders to bar your entry to the premises,” the officer said.

“Orders from whom?” Mark screamed. “I am the highest authority here! Call the Board! Call IT! This is a glitch!”

“It is not a glitch, sir. It is a termination protocol.”