"And while you're at it," I continued, my voice flat as a scalpel, "I need you to do something very, very important for me."
Adrian bowed slightly, his movement was instinctive. "What is it, sir?"
I didn't blink, I didn't soften, "I want you to buy NovaCorp Industries."
The silence that followed was thick enough to feel. Something alive.
Adrian's eyes widened just a fraction before he caught himself. He knew better than to look surprised.But a surprise happened anyway.
"Buy… NovaCorp?" he repeated, his voice was careful, like he needed to make sure he heard correctly.
I stepped away from the window and walked back to my desk, placing both hands on the polished surface, leaning slightly forward. Not a single unnecessary movement.
"Yes," I repeated, slower this time, letting the words sink into the air like weight.
He looked at me with surprise in his eyes,
