One of the guards placed a firm hand on Scott’s shoulder.

“Sir, you need to come with us,” the guard said.

“Get your hands off me,” Scott spat, trying to shake the guard’s grip.

The second guard grabbed Scott’s other arm, locking it behind his back.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be, sir,” the second guard said.

They began walking Scott toward the elevator.

Scott struggled against their grip, his feet dragging on the carpet.

“You’ll regret this!” Scott shouted back at me, his face distorted. “You’re going to end up with nothing! Nothing!”

The entire office was dead silent as the guards pushed Scott into the elevator cab.

The metal doors slid shut, cutting off his shouting.

I sank back down into my office chair, my heart hammering against my ribs.

My hands were shaking so badly I had to clasp them together in my lap.

Marcus stood by my desk for a moment, waiting for the silence to settle.

“Are you alright, Avery?” he asked gently.

“Yes,” I breathed. “Thank you, Marcus.”

“Do you need to take the rest of the day off?”