As Dominic Mylod stepped away from the suffocating vanity of the VIP suite, the heavy silence of the corridor was broken by the sound of frantic, rhythmic footsteps. He looked up to see Jake Powley, the CEO of Quantrix Corporation, hurrying toward him. The man's usual air of corporate invincibility had vanished, replaced by a posture so humble it bordered on the submissive.
Jake stopped several paces away, bowing deeply—a full ninety-degree angle of pure reverence. "My Lord," he whispered, his voice thick with an almost religious awe. "I had no idea you were honoring this establishment with your presence tonight. Please, forgive the lack of a formal reception."
Dominic adjusted the cuff of his nondescript jacket, his expression unreadable. "I’m not here for a parade, Jake. I’m here for m
