Ronda knew the day had shifted before Karl even spoke to her.
Sometimes a woman’s body learned the weather of a place before her mind caught up. The corridors still shone. Staff still moved with their polished efficiency. Phones still rang in controlled tones. But something in the firm had tightened.
By the time she entered the training room that morning, she could feel it in the air; a held breath, a professional stiffness sharpened at the edges.
Anita looked up immediately.
“What now?” Ronda asked softly.
Anita’s face was already full of nerves. “He did something.”
Ronda’s pulse kicked once, hard. “What?”
“I don’t know everything,” Anita said. “But people are saying he requested a review. Not gossip-gossip. Proper review. Regarding your transfer.”
For one second, the room seemed
