Chapter 6 - The Elevator
The night of the gala, the Royal Mariner glittered beneath hundreds of lights.
Photographers gathered near the entrance.
Guests in evening gowns and tuxedos filled the lobby.
A large digital screen displayed images from the Harrington Foundation’s charity projects.
Lily wore a freshly pressed uniform and kept her notebook locked inside her locker.
Rosa stayed close whenever possible.
For the first two hours, Blake ignored Lily.
Then Victor approached the concierge desk.
“Take these documents to the presidential suite.”
Lily looked at the envelope.
“Send another employee.”
“Everyone else is occupied.”
“Rosa can go.”
“She is needed at reception.”
Lily lowered her voice.
“I have formally reported that I do not feel safe around Blake.”
Victor smiled toward nearby guests while speaking through clenched teeth.
“The Harringtons have asked for these documents. Deliver them.”
Lily considered refusing.
But Victor had placed her in a public area where any disagreement could be described as insubordination.
She took the envelope.
The elevator doors were closing when Blake stepped inside.
Lily’s pulse quickened.
She moved toward the control panel.
Blake pressed the button for the top floor.
“I heard you made a complaint,” he said.
Lily kept her eyes forward.
“I’m not discussing that with you.”
“You accused me of harassment.”
“I reported what happened.”
“You’re trying to damage my family.”
“No. I’m trying to do my job without being followed or touched.”
Blake laughed.
“You really think anyone will choose you over us?”
Lily pressed the button for the next floor.
He stepped between her and the doors.
“Move.”
“You should withdraw the complaint.”
“No.”
His expression changed.
The elevator continued upward.
Blake reached toward her chest and tore the metal name tag from her uniform.
Lily recoiled.
“Give that back.”
He held it above her head.
“Maybe you need a different name. Something less serious.”
Lily reached for the emergency button.
Blake grabbed her wrist.
She twisted free.
He shoved her backward.
Her shoulder struck the elevator wall.
Lily raised both hands defensively.
“Do not touch me again.”
The elevator reached the lobby.
As the doors opened, Blake stepped away and grabbed his wrist.
His expression changed instantly from anger to pain.
“She attacked me!” he shouted.
The nearby guests turned.
Security officers rushed toward them.
Lily stared at him in disbelief.
“He grabbed me.”
Blake pointed at her.
“She went crazy in the elevator.”
Margaret pushed through the crowd.
“What happened to my son?”
“She attacked me because I confronted her about a false complaint.”
Lily stepped out of the elevator.
“That is not true.”
Victor arrived almost immediately.
He did not ask Lily what happened.
He did not ask security to check the cameras.
Instead, he looked at the Harringtons and said, “I am deeply sorry.”
May you like
Then he turned to Lily.
“What have you done?”
