Chapter 5 - Escorting the Trash
The heavy doors at the back of the ballroom swung open. Bruno, accompanied by four other massive security guards, marched in. The wealthy attendees stepped back, their faces twisted with a mix of disgust and entertained anticipation. They loved a good public execution.
"Grab him," Marcus barked from the stage, pointing a trembling finger at Silas. "And call Mr. Halloway, the hotel manager. I want this man arrested for trespassing and corporate espionage. I want him ruined."
Bruno approached Silas. He looked conflicted. He remembered the green light on the scanner, the VIP Multiplier status. But Marcus Sterling was shouting, and Sterling was the man who heavily tipped the security staff.
"Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me," Bruno said, placing a heavy hand on Silas's shoulder.
Silas didn't move. He didn't even look at Bruno. He kept his eyes locked on Marcus. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Don't make this physical, man," Bruno whispered, tightening his grip. "They want blood. Just walk."
Before Silas could respond, the side doors of the ballroom burst open. A short, impeccably dressed man in a tailored tuxedo practically sprinted into the room. He was sweating profusely, his face pale. It was Arthur Halloway, the General Manager of the Sterling Plaza.
"Mr. Halloway!" Marcus shouted. "Finally! I want to know how this vagrant bypassed your security. Your hotel's reputation is in the gutter. I'm lowering my purchase offer by fifty million just for the insult of having to breathe the same air as this peasant!"
Halloway didn't look at Marcus. He didn't look at the crowd. He ran straight past the billionaires, past the senators, and skidded to a halt directly in front of Silas Vance.
Halloway looked at Bruno’s hand on Silas’s shoulder.
"Remove your hand from him," Halloway commanded, his voice trembling with sheer terror. "Remove it this instant, Bruno, or you will never work in this city again!"
Bruno, startled, snatched his hand back.
May you like
Halloway then did something that made the collective breath of the Obsidian Conclave catch in their throats. He bowed. A deep, rigid, ninety-degree bow of absolute submission.
"Mr. Vance," Halloway gasped, completely ignoring the stunned room. "I am so deeply sorry. I wasn't informed you had arrived. If I had known you were attending tonight, I would have cleared the lobby."
