Later that evening, away from the crowd, Richard approached Vanessa in the library. The air was thick with anticipation, his mind racing for the right words. “Vanessa,” he began, his voice steady yet laden with the gravity of their situation, “there’s something you should know.”

She turned, her expression carefully composed, curiosity piqued. “Yes, Mr. Cole?”

Richard took a deep breath, his decision firm. “The gatekeeper from earlier — that was me. I needed to see how you treated those you consider beneath you.”