Chapter4:The man they didn't see
463 Words
Chapter Four: The Man They Didn't See
Monday morning arrived with the rush of traffic, impatient horns, and gray clouds hanging over the city.
Ethan stood outside Hawthorne Global's towering headquarters, dressed in his usual faded work shirt and worn boots.
To everyone passing by, he was just another tradesman called in to fix a plumbing problem.
Exactly as he intended.
He adjusted the strap of his toolbox and walked through the revolving doors.
The receptionist smiled.
"Morning."
He returned the smile with a polite nod.
"Maintenance."
She checked a clipboard.
"Thirty-second floor. Executive conference wing."
"Thank you."
No special treatment.
No bowing.
No whispers.
Just another plumber.
The elevator doors slid open.
As Ethan stepped inside, someone called his name.
Not Ethan Hawthorne.
Just—
"Hey, Plumber!"
He turned.
Vanessa.
Beside her stood Richard, carrying a leather briefcase with the logo of Crescent National Bank embossed in gold.
Richard's bank was one of several institutions hoping to secure Hawthorne Global's lucrative financing contracts. Today's meeting could determine who won the multimillion-dollar deal.
Vanessa's eyes widened with fake surprise.
"What are the odds?"
Richard chuckled.
"I didn't know plumbers made house calls to skyscrapers."
Ethan smiled politely.
"We fix pipes wherever they leak."
Vanessa looked around the polished marble lobby.
"This building probably costs more than you'll earn in a hundred lifetimes."
belong."
Before Ethan could answer, a young executive hurried down the hallway.
"Sir!"
Richard immediately straightened.
"Yes?"
The executive walked right past Richard.
He stopped in front of Ethan.
Vanessa's smug smile froze.
"We've been looking everywhere for you."
Richard frowned.
"The plumber?"
"Yes."
The executive looked genuinely relieved.
"The pipe in the boardroom's private lounge is leaking again."
Ethan sighed playfully.
"I fixed that last month."
"I know."
"It started again this morning."
Vanessa smirked.
"See?"
"I told you."
"They really do need plumbers."
Richard smiled.
"Looks like we've found where you belong after all."
Ethan smiled back.
"Looks like it."
He walked past them toward the private lounge.
Just before entering, he paused.
Turning slightly, he said, "Good luck with your meeting."
Richard grinned.
"We won't need luck."
"Our proposal is excellent."
"I hope it goes well."
Then Ethan disappeared through the maintenance door.
Vanessa folded her arms.
"I almost felt sorry for him."
Richard adjusted his tie.
"Don't."
"People end up exactly where they're supposed to."
Inside the lounge, Ethan closed the door behind him.
His relaxed smile vanished.
The maintenance manager approached quietly.
"They're all waiting for you, sir."
Ethan r
emoved his work gloves and slipped them into his toolbox.
"How long?"
"Ten minutes."
He glanced toward the wall that separated the lounge from the boardroom, where Richard and the other bankers were taking their seats.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Let's keep them waiting".
- Writer
