The supervisor had been briefed.
Nobody else was.
On the eighth floor, the receptionist greeted her politely.
“Good morning. Can I help you?”
“I’m joining the compliance review team today.”
The receptionist checked a list.
Her expression shifted.
“Yes.”
“You’re listed.”
She pointed toward an empty workstation.
“They told us somebody from corporate was coming, but not who.”
The CEO smiled.
“That was intentional.”
The receptionist looked puzzled.
She did not ask more.
That was the first good sign.
The second came from a young operations analyst seated nearby.
She stood and offered the CEO coffee.
The CEO declined.
Then asked:
“Do you like working here?”
The analyst looked toward the director’s office before answering.
That single glance said more than most surveys.
“It’s… competitive.”
The CEO smiled faintly.
“That wasn’t my question.”
The analyst’s face tightened.
Before she could respond, the department director emerged from her office.
She looked the CEO up and down.
Slowly.
Beige coat.
Burgundy glasses.
Clutch.
Heels.
Then the temporary badge.
The warmth disappeared from her face.
“You’re corporate compliance?”
“Yes.”
“Name?”
The CEO told her.
No recognition.
Nothing.
Not even curiosity.
The director glanced toward the receptionist.
“Why is she standing around?”
The receptionist stiffened.
“She just arrived.”
“I can see that.”
The director looked back at the CEO.