Chapter Thirty-Six
*The Office*
Xami Lax’s corner office was a temple of cold efficiency. Glass walls looked out over the city, and the only sound was the low hum of the ventilation system. Four of his senior project managers, including Alexander, stood around a massive screen displaying architectural blueprints for a new waterfront development.
“The environmental impact report is clean,” one manager, Sarah, said, pointing at a data set. “The city planning board has no major objections. We are green-lit for the next phase.”
Xami studied the screen, his expression unreadable. “The soil analysis for the southern quadrant. The one from the independent firm. I want to see it again.”
Alexander let out an audible, impatient sigh. He’d been on edge for weeks, his pride a raw wound since the
