Screen glows. Numbers stack. Elena taps the refresh key. Spreadsheet updates, Red turns green, Columns lock. She scrolls. Checks the totals. Nods once.
Door opens. Sophie steps in. Laptop under arm. Coffee in hand. Sets both down.
"Eighty percent sold out," Sophie says. "Pre-orders exceed projections. The buyers signed the commitment sheets before leaving the floor. The retail directors wired the deposits overnight. The ledger clears at nine."
"Who holds the largest block," Elena asks.
"Harlan Retail. Forty-two percent. Next is Mercer Group at twenty-eight. The rest split between regional chains. They all requested same-day fulfillment."
"Can we meet the volume."
"Not with current inventory. We need the second production run online by Thursday. If we delay, Harlan triggers the penalty clause. They want a three percent discount for late delivery. Mercer wants a six-month extension on the payment window."
