~Damian~
As Lorenzo stepped aside, I walked inside. Then he turned and strode upstairs.
The hallway was heavy with the scent of fresh coffee as I spotted Alessia near the copy machine, her shoulders slumped, fingers drumming the side of a folder.
Lorenzo's swift firing on that marketing kid made her look like she'd caught the ricochet. I approached slowly, my loafers silent on the carpet.
"Alessia," I called softly, leaning against the wall. "Rough day?"
She glanced up, her eyes rimmed red but dry, surprise flickering. "Damian! Yeah, it's... been better."
I nodded, keeping my tone gentle. "I heard about the dismissal and it was a brutal call. You backed that guy hard, it must sting? Right?"
She exhaled, crossing her arms.
"Sting's an understatement because Jake's innocent; this feels like a knee-jerk to calm the board. Lorenzo's under siege, but it's fracturing the team."
