He knew something was different that morning before he knew why.
The floor had a different energy. Subtle — the kind of shift that existed in how people moved rather than what they said. The assistants were slightly more precise. The executive offices had their doors closed rather than the usual two inches. Damien had arrived at seven-fifteen instead of his standard seven-thirty and had been in Caelan's office for twenty minutes with the door fully closed before emerging with an expression that revealed nothing and communicated everything.
Seren adjusted his own preparation accordingly.
He reviewed the day's calendar. Checked the conference room bookings. Pulled the briefing notes Damien had circulated the previous evening and read them with the focused attention of someone who understood that the quality of the morning's preparation determined the afternoon's outcome.
Whoever was coming mattered.
He made sure everything was ready before they arrived.
