Chapter 2: The Call No One Expected

Chapter 2: The Call No One Expected
The rooftop terrace was silent.
Even the string quartet had stopped playing.
Mrs. Whitmore laughed nervously.
"This is absurd."
"You expect anyone to believe that?"
Elena didn't answer.
Her phone rang.
She placed it on speaker.
A calm voice filled the terrace.
"Mrs. Alvarez, all executive accounts have been suspended as instructed."
"The flagship store has paused operations."
"We're waiting for your next authorization."
Several executives at nearby tables stared at their own phones.
One after another...
Notifications appeared.
Executive access revoked.
Emergency governance protocol activated.
Mrs. Whitmore reached into her purse.
Her company access card flashed red.
"Access denied."
She tried again.
May you like
The same result.
Her confident smile disappeared.