Lingering Echoes

Kai stormed into his office, the heavy door slamming shut behind him with a loud thud. His jaw tightened as he tossed his briefcase onto the sleek, mahogany desk, the sound of it echoing through the silent room. Dropping into his leather chair, he ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his mind spinning from the earlier encounter with Evander Walton.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, leaning back and glaring up at the ceiling.

He couldn't focus. The pile of documents on his desk sat untouched, the blinking notifications on his computer ignored. All he could think about was how miserably the meeting had gone. He had walked in confident, certain he could sway Evander—if not with charm, then with money. Yet, Evander had effortlessly dismantled his plan, leaving him seething.