Craig froze mid-step, his eyes sweeping the lobby until they found Melissa. For a moment, disbelief crossed his face, sharp and almost funny in how clear it was.
"Craig! Hi!" Melissa called again, waving like they were meeting at a café instead of in the heart of his corporate kingdom.
The receptionist behind the desk froze, completely mortified, eyes wide, lips pressed tight. She reached out hesitantly, as if trying to stop Melissa but unsure how.
Around the lobby, a low murmur ran through the room, footsteps faltered, visitors paused mid-stride, and the investors exchanged confused glances.
Nora, his assistant, blinked and leaned toward him. "Sir, should we—"
Melissa moved forward anyway. "I've been waiting to reach you since…forever! You really need to talk to the front desk, they're impossible!"
"Ma'am… please step back." The guards instinctively moved between them. The receptionist still looked like she might faint.
