As the heavy doors of the CEO's office clicked shut, the oppressive silence of the executive wing was shattered by the sound of the staff beginning their final movements of the day. The air in the outer office was a stark contrast to the humid, sex-charged atmosphere inside; it was cool, smelling of expensive air filters and the lingering scent of takeout food. The banquet had ended, leaving behind a landscape of empty pizza boxes, crumpled napkins, and half-empty soda cups.
The staff were huddled in small, anxious groups, their voices low and hushed as they began the process of cleaning up. They moved with a sluggishness that came from the combination of a heavy meal and the emotional drain of a long, stressful day. Despite the food and the rare moment of levity, the underlying tension of the "AI war" remained, humming beneath the surface like a live wire.
