Ivo paced back and forth in the Ascendant Capital office, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet but his agitation clear in every movement.
His fingers flexed at his sides, curling into tight fists, then relaxing only to curl again. The luxurious office, normally a space of power and control, now felt like a cage.
He glanced at the large windows, the city stretching out before him, a sprawling maze of lights and shadows. He could see it all, yet the room felt stifling.
His mind raced. Too many variables, too many risks. The coup was coming, and every single piece had to be in perfect order. He couldn't afford any slip-ups.
The door clicked softly, and Ivo didn't bother to turn immediately. He knew who it was.
Amara stepped inside, her heels making no sound on the carpet as she crossed the room. Unlike Ivo's tense, erratic pacing, she moved with calm, controlled grace. Her entrance seemed to cool the air in the room, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside Ivo.
