Chapter 29 - The Gray Jacket
Marcus considered throwing away jacket.
His daughter—whom we haven't established. Avoid introducing family abruptly. Instead tailor? He decided keep.
The jacket had become symbol publicly after internal forum leaked? Better no sensational. Only insiders knew.
It remained simply comfortable.
That mattered.
One morning he wore it to Reed Apex as ordinary board visitor.
Security scanner rejected.
Expired credential.
Receptionist said:
“Looks like access ended yesterday.”
Marcus smiled.
“Yes.”
“Do you have host?”
“Elena Brooks.”
“I’ll call her.”
Marcus waited.
Five minutes.
No outrage.
No founder card.
Elena came down laughing.
“They finally kicked you out.”
“System works.”
Receptionist looked confused.
Marcus said:
“Inside joke.”
He received visitor badge.
MARCUS REED — VISITOR
He stared at it longer than necessary.
Then clipped it to jacket.
No humiliation.
No loss.
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A visitor could still deserve respect.
Maybe especially now he understood.
