Kian basked in the afterglow of the board meeting's success as he returned to his desk. The relief of having delivered a flawless presentation lingered, but he knew better than to let his guard down. Harlow wasn't the kind of man to accept defeat quietly, and Kian had just delivered a blow to his calculated power plays.
As the hours ticked by, the usual hum of the office felt different. Kian caught glimpses of coworkers exchanging glances or whispering in hushed tones, their gazes occasionally darting toward him. It was subtle but unmistakable—his performance in front of the board had shifted the dynamic.
Lila stopped by his desk around midday, her expression a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"So," she said, leaning against the partition. "Word around the office is that you nailed it this morning."
Kian smiled faintly, shrugging. "I did my best."
