The atmosphere was subtly tense.
Describing it seemed complicated, but it actually happened in the blink of an eye: eyes intersecting, movements stiff, undercurrents beginning to surge.
Standing outside the door, Jerry Stanley was also slightly taken aback, clearly shocked by such an unexpected encounter.
Now was the moment to test one's reflexes.
Stanley quickly composed himself, casting a meaningful glance at the innocently clueless Donald, before smiling broadly at the Coca-Cola negotiation representative, "Tom."
The representative from Coca-Cola quickly regained his composure, nodded slightly, and in a controlled and distant manner, also greeted, "Jerry."
A brief greeting, though they were face to face, they could both feel their eyes subtly avoid each other, not even willing to engage in eye contact, and the air was palpably tense, filled with a subtle and sticky feeling.
