He sprinted across the polished black marble, dodging bewildered security guards and wealthy clients alike. He leaped over a velvet rope stanchion, his eyes locked entirely on the unassuming woman in the grungy athleisure wear standing patiently at the VIP counter. The distance across the lobby felt like miles. Every second that passed was another second the bank's most important client was being subjected to the arrogant whims of a rogue teller.
Arthur skidded to a halt directly in front of Elara. His chest heaved as he fought to catch his breath. Completely ignoring Chloe, who was watching from behind the glass with a growing look of confusion, Arthur snapped his arms tightly to his sides.
With the utmost reverence, he bent forward at a sharp, deeply deferential ninety-degree angle. The pristine navy blue of his tailored suit contrasted heavily with Elara's dusty black sweatpants, yet his subservient posture left absolutely no doubt about who held the true power in the room.
"Sorry ma'am," Arthur gasped, his voice trembling slightly as he addressed the woman in the hoodie. "I wasn't aware you were coming. I am so profoundly sorry for this delay."
Behind the reinforced glass, Chloe’s haughty smirk instantly evaporated. Her jaw dropped open in shock, and her red-painted fingernails flew to her mouth in sheer horror. The color drained entirely from her face, making her bright red lipstick look like a wound. The realization struck her like a physical blow: the paper she had just destroyed was a legitimate ten-million-dollar deposit, and she had grossly, irreparably insulted the institution's most powerful client.