Marcus Thorne pushed through the crowd with the arrogant confidence of someone accustomed to getting his way through intimidation rather than merit.
His expensive robes marked him as wealthy, but his thin frame and soft features spoke of a life spent in boardrooms rather than battlefields.
Behind him, two enforcers moved with the predatory grace of professional killers, their hands resting casually near weapon hilts as they surveyed the crowd for potential threats.
"EXCUSE ME!" Marcus's voice cut through the crowd's chatter with aristocratic authority. "CLEAR THE WAY! PHALLANX SOLUTIONS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ACCESS!"
The crowd parted reluctantly, murmurs of recognition and concern rippling through the gathered nobility.
Phallanx Solutions' reputation for aggressive business practices preceded them, stories of hostile takeovers and destroyed competitors that had made their name synonymous with corporate ruthlessness.
