The walk to the GoldNova Production Wing felt longer than it should have; hallway stretched ahead in clean lines of glass and steel, and the sunlight was pouring through the tall windows. Assistants hurried past with tablets. Security officers stood at every corner. The hum of activity echoed through the building.
Samantha kept her pace steady and Haley walked beside her, quiet and observant, not hovering, not shielding, just present. Behind them, there is Lucas and Prime Minister Hale followed in easy conversation. Lucas’s voice carried smooth, measured, almost pleasant.
Almost.
Samantha didn’t look back, she didn’t need to. She could feel him watching her.
The Production Wing doors slid open with a soft hiss and inside, the room was bright and modern. There was rows of screens, a cen
