35th Floor - Executive Suite - 9:58 AM
The elevator chimed softly as it reached the top floor.
The doors opened onto a different world from the busy lobby below, thick carpets that absorbed sound, walls decorated with expensive art, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city. Everything was designed to impress, to intimidate, to remind visitors that they were in the presence of power.
A young man in an expensive suit, Lu Zeyan's executive assistant, based on the original Shuyin's memories, was waiting by the elevator. His expression was carefully neutral, but Shuyin could see the curiosity and wariness in his eyes.
"Miss Shuyin," he said with a respectful bow. "Mr. Lu is expecting you. Please, follow me."
He led her down a corridor lined with offices, past conference rooms where meetings were in progress, past administrative assistants who looked up from their computers with barely concealed shock and fascination.
The whispers started immediately.
