Eleanor's face tightened as she examined the signature and case number. Rory contacted the court's clerk and confirmed that the order had been issued and was effective. No one liked what it meant, but Daniel had insisted from the beginning that their conduct be clean enough to withstand scrutiny. He would not demand that a receptionist respect the rules while instructing the company to ignore a judge's order because it inconvenienced him.
"We comply," Daniel said. "And we challenge it on the evidence."
Warren stepped closer. "That means this morning's vote was a lovely little performance. I am still chief executive. Benjamin, escort Mr. Carter from the premises."
Benjamin looked at the order, then at Daniel. "Sir, is this real?"
"It's real," Rory answered. "For now. Mr. Carter will leave voluntarily while we seek relief."
Daniel handed his visitor badge to Therese for temporary safekeeping and walked toward the exit. The crowd that had applauded minutes earlier fell silent, their faces full of confusion and embarrassment. Warren watched every step, visibly delighted that his authority had returned in such a public fashion. Then he turned toward the front desk.
"Therese," he said, almost gently. "You helped him. You kept records and communicated with directors behind my back. Your employment ends now. Give me your badge and keys."
"The board directed HR not to retaliate," Daniel said.
"The court has paused the very authority your board used," Warren replied. "My lawyers can discuss any dispute. For now, she is terminated."
Rory started to object, but Therese lifted one hand. She understood that any lawful challenge to the firing would take time, and she did not want to make Daniel's exit into another public struggle over her. She unclipped her badge, placed her keys beside it, and retrieved her handbag and notebook. Eleven years reduced to a few objects on a counter.
"That notebook stays," Warren said.
"I bought it with my own money," Therese replied. "I wrote it at home and during breaks. It contains my personal notes. Counsel can review any proper preservation obligations, but you are not taking it from my hands in front of everyone."
Warren hesitated. He wanted the notebook, but he had dismissed its value so often that demanding it now would make his interest obvious. He decided that a receptionist's handwritten pages were unlikely to survive legal scrutiny beside a CEO's testimony. "Fine," he said. "Keep your scribbles. Nobody important will ever read them."
Therese picked up the notebook. Daniel held the front door open for her, and Rory followed carrying the sealed envelope containing the broken badge. The three of them stepped onto the sidewalk as the doors closed behind them. Through the glass, Warren stood beneath the suspended metal sculpture adjusting his cuffs, surrounded by employees who were once again afraid to say what they thought.
For a moment Therese could not speak. She looked at the building she had entered before sunrise for eleven years and at the cardboard box balanced against her hip. "He took everything from me in one morning," she whispered.
Daniel turned toward her. "He took your job today," he said. "He hasn't taken your name. And he hasn't taken the truth."