ft click of the closing door echoed behind him as he took a deep breath and looked up at the towering bu

mething

ttling stillness. The energy in the air was muted, shadows

lbert, his assistant, g

eyes. "Why is it so q

The news just broke-Mr. Gideon, our top marketer, was in a fa

oment, he didn't speak. His breath caught in his throat,

ed and walked to his office, h

a soft knock b

n," Juli

eps nearly silent. She moved with g

soon as I could," she said sof

't know. Part of me is grieving... but another part of me is alre

It's not selfish, Julian. It's what leaders do

wo weeks out from a major launch. And Gideon was

ed only by the rhythmic

one buzzed. He glanced

, voice low.

his father said, his voice

Ye

blow. What's your pl

But I'll have to f

," his father

d back in his chair. The call, brief as it

who had remained quiet, wa

o grab a coffee?"

, her lips parting in amu

reath. "Yeah. I just...

a smile tugged at the corner

ver, and opened the doo

o the unknown, the weight of grief still lingerin