The next morning, the StarLaunch building was deceptively quiet.
From the outside, it looked like a normal day: the early sunlight reflecting off glass windows, cars lining the street, interns rushing past with coffee and folders. But inside, the atmosphere was tense enough to choke on.
Every elevator ding, every soft tap of a keyboard, every cough in the hall sounded like a gunshot. Titan Star's first strike had left a mark—and now everyone in the building was holding their breath, waiting for the next move.
Lian walked behind Rian as they entered the main lobby, just like yesterday. But today, it felt heavier. Every glance seemed calculated. Every whisper carried weight. Every step could be the wrong one.
And Rian walked ahead, as if his very presence was a shield between Lian and the world.
But the shield came at a cost. Today, they had to act as strangers. Cold, professional, nothing personal.
