Chapter 6 - The Fall of Marcus Vance
While the boardroom of Bennett Global Capital was erupting into stunned chaos following Arthur’s historic veto, ground-level reality was hitting Union Central Station like a freight train.
At 9:15 AM, Marcus Vance sat behind his desk in the station operations office, sipping his second cup of double-shot espresso, feeling entirely pleased with himself. He had successfully disciplined an insubordinate kid, maintained his cleaning schedules, and was fully expecting a commendation from Apex Global for his ruthless efficiency.
The heavy oak door of his office swung open without a knock.
Stepping into the room were two burly corporate security guards accompanied by a senior compliance investigator from Bennett Global Capital.
Marcus frowned, setting his coffee mug down. "Hey! You can't just barge in here—this is a restricted management zone! Who let you in?"
The compliance investigator didn't say a word. She tossed a thick, heavy manila folder onto Marcus’s desk, scattering his paperwork across the blotter.
"Marcus Vance," the investigator said, her voice crisp and devoid of human warmth. "You are hereby terminated for cause—gross operational negligence, verbal harassment, and creating a life-threatening hazard by countermanding emergency medical protocols."
Marcus let out a harsh, incredulous laugh, standing up from his chair. "Terminated?! Are you out of your mind?! I run this station like a Swiss watch! I saved the company thousands in labor costs last month alone! I demand to speak to regional director Sterling!"
"Regional Director Sterling is currently trying to explain to the federal securities commission why his buyout failed," the investigator replied flatly. "And as for your labor cost savings, our forensic audit has discovered that you systematically falsified safety reports and pocketed overtime allocations for three years. The Port Authority police are waiting downstairs with a warrant."
Marcus’s face drained of color. The skin beneath his fake tan turned the sickly, gray hue of spoiled milk. He grabbed the edge of his desk to keep from falling as the two security guards stepped forward, gripping his arms with fingers of solid iron.
"No... no, you can't do this!" Marcus shrieked, his voice cracking into a pathetic, high-pitched whine as they hauled him toward the door. "I'm a manager! I have rights! You can't fire me over a bum!"
"You didn't fire a bum, Mr. Vance," a calm, authoritative voice echoed from the doorway.
Marcus stopped struggling, his eyes widening in sheer terror.
Leaning against the doorframe, dressed in a sharp, tailored navy suit, wearing a visitor’s badge clipped to his lapel, was Leo Miller. He looked at Marcus not with anger or vengeance, but with the quiet, unshakeable confidence of a man who knew his foundation was built on solid rock.
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"You fired the person who’s now your landlord," Leo smiled softly.
Before Marcus could process the words, the security guards hauled him out of the office, dragging him down the hallway and out of Union Central Station forever.
