[Nathaniel's POV]
Nathaniel reread the figures on his screen for the third time, though he wasn't actually processing the numbers anymore.
Phase One.
Clara would be presenting it to him today.
He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, pretending he wasn't waiting for the clock to move faster. He'd been tracking the team's progress from a distance—strictly professional updates from Dr. Patel, weekly summaries, projected models—but he hadn't stepped foot in Lab 7 since Clara moved out of his room.
Since she'd quietly drifted away from him.
He exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose.
He didn't want to think about that right now. He wanted to be composed when she presented. Objective. CEO-like. Someone who didn't visibly tighten every time her name passed through his thoughts.
A knock—sharp and hurried—snapped him out of it.
"Come in."
His secretary, Sarah —burst inside, breathless and wide-eyed.
"Sir—Miss Clara—there's a problem."
