The room had fallen into a tense quiet, broken only by the muted hum of the overhead lights and the faint ticking of the old wall clock behind Logan's desk.
Then — knock, knock, knock.
Three deliberate raps came from the double doors, each one measured and firm, followed by a deep, steady voice.
"I've arrived for the branch manager's request."
Logan's eyes flickered toward the door, his sharp focus shifting instantly. Without a word, he slid his phone back into the desk drawer with an unhurried motion, the metallic click of the drawer locking into place sounding louder than it should in the stillness.
Across the table, Kaidren's attention sharpened. The voice and timing told him what he needed to know — the test subject had arrived.
He considered his next step, his mind already drifting toward the jars of potion on the table.
