"First of, let me thank you for your cooperation and good work even in my absence," Henry begins, his voice deep and measured, carrying across the large conference room with ease.
His tone is steady but commanding, and silence falls over the gathering almost instantly.
The workers lean forward, their attention locked on him. "I do not want to take much of your time on this, so I'll cut everything short. The reason I called you here is because I want to make it clear that serious business has started, now that we have our first project fully completed."
The words spark immediate reaction. A swell of claps bursts from the crowd, echoing off the high walls. It isn't polite applause but something sharper, filled with relief and pride at seeing the first tangible result of their collective effort.
The sound grows, lingering, as if each clap is meant to celebrate not just the product but the endurance it took to reach this moment.
