The lobby occupied the lower floors of a glass tower in Manhattan, but it lacked the display of wealth she had expected. Its furniture was simple, its artwork modern without being ostentatious, and its reception desk held a bowl of fruit beside a stack of visitor badges. People entered wearing suits, sweaters, jeans, and work boots, and nobody at the desk seemed interested in sorting them by clothing. The atmosphere unsettled Victoria because it made her own assumptions suddenly visible to her.
A receptionist named Lisa Moreno greeted her with a professional smile. "Good morning. Do you have an appointment?"
"Not exactly," Victoria admitted. "I'm Victoria Ashford. I need to speak with Mr. Cole. It's urgent."
Lisa typed the name into the visitor system. Her expression did not change, but Victoria noticed a slight pause. The video from San Francisco had reached New York overnight, and she assumed almost everyone at Cole Ventures had seen it. She felt her face warm. Being recognized had once been a source of pleasure. Now she wished the receptionist would look at her as though she were an ordinary stranger.
"Mr. Cole's schedule is full today," Lisa said. "I can leave a message for his office."
"Please tell him I flew here from San Francisco. I'll wait as long as necessary."
"I can do that. But I can't promise he will be able to meet with you."
Victoria nodded and moved to a chair by the window. She had once used a version of Lisa's sentence to dismiss people whose requests she did not want to handle. Hearing it now, spoken with complete courtesy, she realized how different a clear boundary sounded from a personal insult. Lisa had not challenged her right to enter the building. She had not questioned the value of her clothes or the legitimacy of her name. She had simply told her the truth.
At eight thirty, the office filled with employees carrying coffee cups and backpacks. Some passed without noticing her. Others recognized her and exchanged quick looks. A woman in a green sweater slowed as though deciding whether to say something, then continued toward the elevators. Victoria lowered her eyes to her phone. There were dozens of missed calls from board members, investors, and reporters. Marcus had sent updated figures showing that two prospective customers were reconsidering their deployment schedules. Richard wanted her to join an emergency board call that afternoon. She replied only that she was attempting a direct conversation with Darien.
At nine forty-five, Lisa brought a cup of coffee. "I thought you might like something warm," she said.
Victoria looked up, surprised. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Lisa turned to leave, and Victoria called her back. "Did you have to ask someone before you brought this?"
The receptionist seemed confused. "No, ma'am. You're waiting here. I thought you looked tired."