Claude had been running on a level of energy that could have rivaled any storm for the past eight hours, moving through meetings, conference calls, and strategic decisions with a focus that left Adrian and Shen wide-eyed and whispering behind his back. Yet even as he finally closed the last of the day's reports, glanced at the clock, and realized it was already five in the evening, a singular thought consumed him: Mio.
He didn't pause to rest, didn't take the luxury of a moment to savor the completion of his impossible workload. His stride was long and purposeful as he crossed his office, ignoring Adrian and Shen's tentative stares, and moved straight for the bedroom adjoining his office. The door was slightly ajar, allowing him a glimpse of her sleeping form, curled under the sheets with her damp hair fanned across the pillow.
