The taxi rolled to a smooth stop in front of the towering entrance of Maxwell Industries. The building loomed like a wall of glass and steel scraping the clouds, reflecting the gray morning sky.

Oliver leaned forward and handed the driver a carefully folded bill.

"Thank you, sir," he said with flawless manners that didn't quite match his chubby cheeks and dinosaur backpack.

The driver accepted the money but paused before unlocking the door.

"You sure you're going in there alone?"

"Yes, sir. I'm not lost," Oliver replied with a smile that seemed rehearsed—but was undeniably charming.

His small legs hopped out of the car, and his backpack bounced on his back as he marched confidently toward the glass doors. In his mind, everything was running on schedule.

A security guard near the entrance spotted him immediately and narrowed his eyes.

"Where you headed, champ?"

Oliver stopped and looked up, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Sorry, sir. I dropped my ID inside the elev