n't believe in

. minimal. Too minimal. A clean résumé. Strong references. Impressive credentials

take. And that, to Elena, w

heduled a

time. Not early. Not late. Just

in his pockets. His posture was too relaxed for someo

ioning to the chair

d

idget. He didn't glance around the room or reach for his phone. He jus

gan coolly, "for solving yester

your systems crashing mid

ed at the corner of hi

rward. "Especially ones that involve new hires

r I let the

protocol to

But the protocol didn't fix

rowed h

at quiet, dange

oor meeting tried to impress her. Or flir

didn't fear her. That wasn't arrogance,

her more s

ou've bounced between firms. Never st

d problems. Not wai

e leaving before

and low. "Is that why I'

protecting

"Then we're on

ered in the ai

idn't

es fell to his hands resting casually on his lap, calloused fingertips tapping faintly again

imagined

e thought of

dustries. We don't make excuses here. We don't rely on gut ins

"Then I'l

d. "You're

oo. "Thank y

leave, she noticed

allenge. Not defiance. Just... comfort. Looking her

es. War

diction un

moment, the silence in her office deeper than before. She h