Derek's Pov.
I arrived in my office just in time.
My staff stopped whatever they were doing and bowed when I walked past them, their voices dropping in volume as if the air itself had shifted.
I didn't acknowledge them. I didn't need to. My presence alone was acknowledgment enough.
The elevator doors slid open to the top floor, and I stepped into my office — wide glass windows overlooking the city, the skyline stretched out like something already beneath my feet.
My assistant, Adrian, walked after me.
"There are three meetings waiting for your approval, sir. The Baxton contract…"
"Cancel two of them for today. I will only attend to the Reinhart case," I said, placing my watch neatly beside the pen holder. My voice was calm, precise, like everything else I did.
Adrian nodded and turned to leave, already reaching for his tablet.
"Adrian."
He stopped mid-step.
"Yes, sir?"
