The sound of elevator doors opening echoed from the main lobby.

Heavy, synchronized footsteps began to approach the vault area.

Eleanor smiled, a cold, triumphant look returning to her face.

“My security team has arrived,” she said.

“They have no jurisdiction here, Mother,” Nathan said.

“They answer to the office of the CEO,” she said. “And as of this morning, I have suspended your authority pending an emergency review.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t back down.

“You can’t suspend me without a majority vote of the board,” he said.

“I have the proxy votes, Nathan,” she said. “At least, I do until that paper is validated.”

She gestured to the hallway.

Three more men in grey tactical uniforms appeared behind Johnny, their boots clicking on the floor.

“Secure the envelope,” Eleanor commanded, pointing at me.

“Johnny, keep recording,” Nathan said, stepping in front of me once more.

The lead guard in the tactical uniform took a step into the vault doorway, his eyes fixed on the yellowed paper in my hand.

My fingers tightened on the crisp parchment, the wax dust falling to the floor.