Lucien gathered the important people later that day.
Then he spoke.
"We are accelerating."
Lucien continued, "The East and South will be opened at the same time."
The room stilled further.
Everyone understood at once.
Lucien was rushing.
And when Lucien rushed, there was always a reason.
No one asked what that reason was.
Because they trusted him enough to act first.
Vivian stepped forward.
"What scale?"
"Main branches in both continents," Lucien said. "Minor branch expansion continues in the North."
Eirene had already begun writing.
"Public or controlled opening?"
"Controlled preparation first," Lucien said. "Public opening once stable. We need local anchors before announcing anything too loudly."
Then the meeting began properly.
Plans unfolded.
The North would begin its minor branch expansion across key regions under Ironhaven's support.
