The Vale Organization records division occupied an entire floor hidden behind reinforced glass and quiet hallways. Rows of compact shelving stretched beneath white ceiling lights while climate-controlled storage rooms hummed softly behind secured doors. Most employees had already gone home for the evening. The remaining staff moved quietly between workstations, speaking in low voices that barely disturbed the silence.
Seraphina Vale sat alone at a long archive table near the back of the division.
Three monitors glowed in front of her.
One displayed security logs.
One displayed transportation records.
The third displayed surveillance footage that had already become far too familiar.
A paper cup of coffee sat untouched beside her keyboard.
Her attention remained fixed on the footage.
Cassian Vale.
Again.
The image showed him entering Artemis Tower.
Another day.
Another bouquet of flowers.
Another attempt.
Seraphina scrubbed forward through the recording.
