[Blackthorn Enterprise—The Event Hall]
The event hall buzzed with low conversation and the muted clink of glasses.
Lyra stood near the Operations group with a half-filled drink in her hand, listening more than speaking.
The space was elegant in that distinctly corporate way with polished floors, soft lighting, banners bearing Blackthorn's insignia discreetly placed along the walls.
Mira leaned closer, voice lowered. "This whole thing feels off, doesn't it?"
Lyra glanced at her. "Off how?"
Mira shrugged. "The energy, the security and don't even get me started on the CEO situation."
Jacob, standing nearby, snorted quietly. "You mean the fact that he has been gone for days?"
"That," Mira said, "and the fact that no one seems to know if he is even showing up tonight."
A man from Finance joined in. "I heard he won't."
Someone else countered immediately. "No way. This event is too public. If he skips this, people will talk."
"They are already talking," Jacob muttered.
