Chapter 3 - The Ghost in the SystemThe transition from night maintenance to corporate liaison was jarring, to say the least.
By Tuesday morning, Nolan found himself sitting in a glass-walled office on the 48th floor of Vale Global Enterprises, wearing a tailored charcoal suit that cost more than his previous monthly rent.
Across from him sat Victoria Vance, Grant’s iron-willed Chief Operating Officer and executive assistant of twelve years. Her blonde hair was pulled into a razor-sharp bun, and her eyes scanned Nolan with undisguised contempt.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Mr. Mercer,” Victoria said, sliding a thick contract across the mahogany desk without offering him a seat. “Grant might have a sentimental soft spot for your little sidewalk psychology act, but I do not. You are an anomaly. A temporary fixture. The moment the board votes on the Meridian merger next month, your services will be terminated.”
“Understood, Ms. Vance,” Nolan said calmly, remaining standing. He didn’t care about her hostility; he cared about the clause in his contract guaranteeing Lily’s medical coverage.
“Good. Your primary directive is Avery. She has a private tutor arriving at three. Keep her contained, keep her quiet, and do not let her near the executive suites. Grant is under immense pressure; he does not need domestic distractions.”
Before Nolan could reply, the door swung open.
Avery walked in, her school uniform neat, her expression sullen. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Nolan.
For a second, a flicker of recognition—almost like relief—crossed her face, but she quickly masked it behind a cold, defiant glare.
“What is the janitor doing in here?” Avery demanded, crossing her arms.
Victoria frowned. “Avery, show some respect. This is—”
“He’s my new shadow,” Nolan interrupted, stepping forward. He didn’t flinch at her hostility. Instead, he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small, foil-wrapped package, placing it gently on the edge of Victoria’s pristine desk.
Avery’s eyes darted down to it.
“Strawberry Pop-Tarts,” Nolan said casually. “The stale kind from the vending machine in the basement. I figured since you skipped breakfast throwing a tantrum over a bracelet, you might be running on fumes.”
Victoria gasped. “Mr. Mercer, this is a board-level executive office, not a recess yard—”
Avery snatched the package, her fingers tearing into the foil. She took a bite, chewing slowly, her eyes locked on Nolan.
“They’re stale,” she muttered.
“I know,” Nolan smiled faintly. “Character builds flavor.”
Avery let out a tiny, reluctant snort—a sound so foreign to her usual icy demeanor that Victoria looked like she had swallowed a lemon.
“Avery, your tutor is waiting in the conservatory,” Victoria said stiffly, regaining her composure.
“Tell him to go home,” Avery snapped. “I’m going with Nolan.”
“You are doing no such thing—”
“Actually, Ms. Vance,” Nolan cut in smoothly, picking up the dossier Grant had given him earlier about the internal leaks, “Mr. Vale gave me explicit instructions to integrate with Avery’s schedule. That includes her extracurriculars.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed into slits. She leaned forward, lowering her voice so Avery couldn’t hear.
“You think you’re very clever, don’t you, Mercer? Playing the hero. But you’re playing a game you don’t understand. People who dig too deep into Grant’s corporate affairs tend to find themselves falling from much higher floors than this one.”
May you like
Nolan met her gaze without blinking.
“I spent ten years fixing plumbing in buildings older than this skyscraper, Ms. Vance,” Nolan replied quietly. “I’m used to dealing with toxic waste.”
