The emergency vote did not happen immediately. That was the first thing Seraphina noticed; she stood in Lucien's office the morning after the announcement, watching the market open. The stock dipped again, then steadied, as if the market itself was waiting.
Lucien stood behind his desk, reading through a fresh set of reports that had arrived before dawn. "They are delaying it," he said.
Seraphina nodded. "Yes."
Lucien looked up. "That is not a delay," he said.
Seraphina turned toward him. "No," she agreed. "It is positioning."
Lucien set the reports down. "They want leverage before they act," he said.
Seraphina crossed her arms slightly. "Yes. They want something that justifies the vote."
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "And they will get it."
Seraphina's voice remained steady. "Not if we recognize it first."
Lucien studied her. "You already see it," he said.
Seraphina did not deny it. "I see the outline," she said.
Lucien walked around the desk. "Then explain."
