**“You're five minutes late."**
Eva dropped her laptop onto the conference table without looking at Adrian. “I had to rewrite your entire fiscal model. Took longer than expected."
Adrian raised a brow. “That model was drafted by our top strategists."
“Then they should be fired." She connected to the projector. “Here's how you've been bleeding margin for six quarters and no one noticed."
He folded his arms as she presented: bullet points sharp, voice sharpener.
Midway through, the fluorescent lights above flickered. Barely a blink.
Adrian flinched.
Eva didn't miss it.
She clicked to the next slide, then glanced sideways. “You okay?"
His breath came shorter. Jaw tight. He gripped the edge of the table.
“Lights," he said, voice strained.
“They just flickered. Are you—"
He stood ab
