The office was heavy with exhaustion. Papers lay scattered across desks, half-empty coffee cups sat abandoned, and the soft hum of computers filled the silence. Some had their heads resting on their arms, others sat upright, eyes barely open, caught in the battle between sleep and duty. It had been a long night and a long day, and yet, the storm was far from over.
The door creaked open, and Ethan stepped inside. His presence pulled at the room like a thread unraveling the last remnants of sleep. Heads lifted. Bodies stirred. Eyes, once glazed over, found focus.
"I know we're all tired," he began, his voice calm but edged with urgency. "But I have bad news."
A hush fell over the room. The air, thick with fatigue, now bristled with anticipation. Ethan glanced at his wristwatch, his jaw tightening as he met their expectant gazes.
