The weight of Harlow's challenge pressed down on Kian like a vice, but beneath it, something sharper burned—resolve.
As he walked into the office, every step felt deliberate, every glance from his coworkers another reminder that this meeting wasn't just about him anymore. It was about power. And today, Harlow thought he was going to remind everyone who truly held it.
But Kian had other plans.
---
The conference room was already filling when Kian arrived. Task force members sat along the polished table, their expressions ranging from wary curiosity to outright concern. Vanessa was seated near the front, her smugness palpable.
And at the head of the table sat Harlow.
The man looked perfectly at ease, his sharp suit pristine, his smirk calculated. He gestured toward the empty chair directly across from him.
"Take a seat, Kian," Harlow said smoothly. "Let's get started."
