Julian stepped into the office, its minimalist decor in sharp contrast to the grandeur of the boardrooms he’d once commanded. The hum of voices and faint tapping of keyboards filtered through the glass walls. The name Monroe Innovations etched on the door gleamed in polished silver.
Alex Monroe stood by the whiteboard, wiping his palms on his jeans. He was young—early 30s at most—but the intensity in his eyes spoke of sleepless nights and relentless determination. The whiteboard behind him was crowded with diagrams, charts, and notes, all detailing the vision he was about to pitch.
“Mr. Grey,” Alex began, extending a hand. His grip was firm, but his voice betrayed a slight tremor. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Julian waved off the formalities with a small smile. “Julian. Let’s skip the t
