The woman immediately noticed. Her smile widened ever so slightly.
"You know..."
She tucked a loose curl behind her ear.
"I could make a few calls myself."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Several guards visibly stiffened.
The woman acted as though she hadn't noticed.
"Mr. Nightingale knows me. There’s Mr. Cage, Mr. Stark…"
The guards exchanged another look.
"And I'm sure a few other people inside would be happy to help me sort out this misunderstanding."
Her voice remained pleasant. Almost playful. Yet there was something beneath it that made even Amara straighten slightly.
Confidence.
The kind that came from knowing exactly how much influence you possessed.
"If you'd prefer," she continued smoothly, "I can call them right now."
Silence settled over the lobby.
For several long seconds, nobody spoke.
The guards exchanged one final look.
Then the head guard released a tired sigh.
"Let them go."
Immediately, the men stepped back.
The hands gripping Juliet and Amara disappeared.
Juliet looked so relieved she appeared moments away from throwing herself at the woman and proposing marriage instead of thanking her.
The head guard turned toward the redhead.
"Miss Stella, because you've personally intervened, we're willing to let this go. However, I still cannot allow them inside without an access card. They don't have authorization."
His expression softened apologetically.
"That rule applies to everyone."
Stella nodded without argument.
"That's fair."
Then she turned toward Juliet.
The smile returned to her face.
