Erik pushed open the door, stepping into a room that struck him with its stark contrast to the rest of the building.
With polished wood panels on the walls and a grand, elaborate table in the middle, the conference room exuded elegance. It was anything but crude.
Soft, ambient light filtered through a series of wall-mounted fixtures, casting a warm glow over the space.
However, what caught Erik's attention was not the furnishings, but the man seated on a sofa near the far end of the room.
The figure was unmistakable, even from a distance. Erik recognized the man from his long red hair tied back in a ponytail and the fact that, even while seated, he appeared to be a very tall man.
Becker had shown remarkable calmness and confidence when he met Erik last time. But now, he looked like a pale imitation of his past self.
His once meticulous appearance was now disheveled, his hair unkempt, and his posture slouched.
