Gathering Place
The team assembled for the morning meeting, unaware of the storm quietly building beneath the surface. Conversations flowed and coffee cups clinked as everyone remained absorbed in their own routines, seemingly detached from the tension I still felt from the earlier chaos. As I scanned the room, I silently gauged who might stand with me and who wouldn’t. They had no idea how significant the coming changes would be—but I was prepared to make sure they understood soon enough.
Gathering Place
Derek’s Arrival
Derek strolled in late, oozing that same insufferable confidence, and dropped into his seat without so much as a glance my way, as if I were invisible. His recent antics still lingered in my thoughts, fueling the quiet determination building inside me. The smugness he wore like armor only solidified my intent—his indifference was exactly what needed to be shattered, and I was going to make sure he got the message, loud and clear.
Derek’s Arrival
