Jacob flipped through the glossy brochure with a violence that surprised even him.The pages made sharp, angry sounds as they bent beneath his fingers, the colorful images of the luxury lodge blurring together as he searched for what he already suspected he would find.Andrew was right.No matter how many times Jacob checked, no matter how carefully he traced the layout with his eyes, the truth refused to change. The topmost floor, the executive level, was inaccessible to him. No guest access. No casual visits. No “wrong turn” excuses.His jaw tightened.With a sharp exhale, he flung the brochure to the floor. It landed near the elevator doors, its polished cover sliding across the tiles like an insult.For several minutes now, Andrew had successfully pulled him off track. Jacob clenched his fists as the realization hit him fully. He had come here with one clear objective to get to the topmost floor and meet the main stakeholder face-to-face. Everything else was noise. Everything els

After Olivia left for work, the suite felt unusually quiet. The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air, mixing with the crisp smell of freshly brewed coffee Andrew hadn’t touched. He stood by the window for a brief moment, watching her car disappear into the distance below, before checking the time on his wristwatch. He had no room for distractions today.Andrew reached for his phone and dialed Ms. Oma, the Managing Director of YP Groups. The call connected almost immediately.“Good morning, Ms. Oma,” he said calmly. “I’m ready for the meeting. I’ll be downstairs in ten minutes.”Her voice came through brisk and efficient, as always. “That’s perfect, Mr. Pierre. I’ve already gathered everyone in the boardroom. We’re just waiting on you.”“Understood,” Andrew replied. “I’ll be there shortly.”The call ended, and Andrew exhaled slowly. This meeting mattered more than most people realized, and he was well aware of the weight it carried. Ordinarily, he would have preferred a tailo

Jacob sat alone in the lobby of the staff lodge, his elbows resting on his knees, fingers locked together as if he were praying though no prayer formed in his mind. The lodge was usually quiet at this hour. The muted hum of ceiling lights blended with the faint scent of polish and old wood. Every few seconds, his eyes flicked toward the elevator at the far end of the hall.One rule, he reminded himself. One stupid rule.No unauthorized staff was permitted beyond the first floor without clearance. Breaking it meant suspension, possibly worse. And yet, every fiber in him burned with the need to go higher. To see what lay beyond the floors he had been deliberately denied. To reach the topmost level, where the real power sat.He exhaled sharply and leaned back into the couch.Think, Jacob. Think.Waiting was safer. Waiting meant no consequences. Waiting meant he could report Andrew in the morning, accuse him of misconduct, frame him neatly and cleanly like he had already planned. He c

Jacob lifted his chin confidently after declaring that the CEO would rather see his face than Andrew’s. He expected irritation, maybe even embarrassment but Andrew only watched him with quiet patience, the faintest smile lingering at the corner of his mouth. That calmness unsettled Jacob more than anger ever could.Instead of responding immediately, Andrew folded his arms loosely. “Interesting,” he said. “Before I decide anything… indulge my curiosity a little. What exactly do you intend to do with the access card?”Jacob exhaled sharply, already annoyed. “I told you I have a private matter to discuss with the CEO. Executive stuff. Not something you’d understand.”Andrew nodded slowly, as though considering the statement. “Executive matters,” he repeated. “And what makes you think the CEO is a woman?”Jacob blinked, caught off guard by the question. “Everyone knows that,” he said quickly. “She’s… private. Powerful. Doesn’t show her face much.” He waved his hand dismissively. “Look, yo

Jacob woke up that morning with a renewed sense of confidence. Andrew had said he would “think about it,” and in Jacob’s mind that meant victory was close. But waiting felt slow too slow. If Andrew delayed any longer, Jacob decided he would simply take matters into his own hands.By midday, he found himself sitting in the staff cafeteria beside a junior employee named Kelvin. Jacob leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially.“You know how room service works around here, right?” he asked casually.Kelvin shrugged. “Basic deliveries. Food trays, packages, errands for the upper floors. Why?”Jacob smirked. “I’m thinking of filling in for one of them today. Quick favor for management.”Kelvin frowned. “You? Room service?”“Temporary,” Jacob said, waving a dismissive hand. “Just need access to certain floors. There’s someone important I need to meet. Executive stuff.”Kelvin looked uncertain, but Jacob continued before he could question him further.“Honestly, it’s not that hard,”