The room stayed quiet after Lucian spoke.
No one rushed to fill the silence.
The quiet didn't feel uncertain. It felt controlled. No one moved without purpose, and no one spoke unless Lucian allowed it. Julian noticed the pattern almost immediately. Whatever system governed this room, everyone seemed to understand exactly where they stood within it.
He had been around enough offices, meetings, and corporate spaces to recognize when people were waiting for someone else to decide the next move. It happened all the time in boardrooms and conference calls.
But this felt different.
This wasn't hesitation.
This was discipline.
The man leaning against the wall watched Lucian carefully, arms folded across his chest, saying nothing. Selene stood near the doorway, posture straight, attention fixed on Lucian as if waiting for the next instruction.
No one stepped closer to the body.
No one spoke.
Lucian studied the dead courier for another few seconds before straightening slowly.
