Friday dragged longer than any other day that week.
The team-building dinner had been on the calendar for months—some overpriced rooftop place with forced small talk and too many cocktails. At 4:47 p.m., the email hit everyone’s inbox: Canceled due to unforeseen scheduling conflict. Have a great weekend. No explanation. No apologies. Just gone.
Alex stared at the screen, stomach already tightening. He knew exactly whose “scheduling conflict” that was.
At 6:03, his phone buzzed once.
Top floor conference room. 6:15. Don’t be late.
Alex deleted the message immediately, heart hammering. He waited until the floor was mostly empty—lights dimming section by section—then took the service stairs up two flights to avoid the cameras in the main elevators.
The top-floor conference room took up
