The office had begun to develop its own rhythm.
Not the frantic startup chaos from the early days, but something more organized, more controlled. Analysts moved between desks, screens glowed with shipping routes and market data, and the quiet hum of servers filled the background like distant machinery.
Ethan stood at the central conference table studying a series of trade maps projected across the glass wall.
Cargo routes.
Energy pricing.
Port congestion probabilities.
Every variable mattered.
Behind him Aria worked silently, reviewing financial reports. Her navy blazer rested neatly over the back of her chair, sleeves of her pale gray blouse rolled slightly as she typed, her movements efficient and precise.
She spoke without looking up.
"You were right about the Pacific corridor," she said. "Three shipping firms just raised prices."
Ethan nodded.
"They're reacting to pressure."
"From us?"
"Indirectly."
Aria finally glanced up, studying him.
"You're manipulating an entire logistics chain."
"Optimizing," Ethan corrected.
Before she could respond, the elevator doors opened.
The sound of heels crossing polished floors echoed through the office.
Cara had arrived.
She stepped inside with the effortless confidence of someone who understood exactly how much attention she attracted without needing to demand it. Today she wore a sleek black blazer over a cream silk top, paired with fitted trousers and sharp heels.
Several employees glanced up instinctively.
Cara ignored them.
Her attention locked immediately onto Ethan.
"Well," she said lightly as she approached, "this place looks expensive."
Ethan leaned against the edge of the table.
"You're not here to admire the furniture."
Cara smiled.
"No."
Her eyes moved across the office, taking in the analysts, the trading screens, the digital maps.
"You built this faster than I expected."
Aria watched quietly from across the room.
Cara noticed her immediately.
Their eyes met for a brief moment—two intelligent observers measuring each other.
Then Cara turned back to Ethan.
"You're expanding aggressively," she said.
"Speed matters."
Cara tilted her head.
"Speed also makes enemies."
Ethan's expression didn't change.
"I already have enemies."
Cara's smile widened slightly.
"Good," she said. "Because one of them just made a move."
She placed a thin tablet on the table.
A financial report appeared.
Hostile market activity.
Share accumulation.
Attempts to undermine Ethan's smaller logistics holdings.
Aria leaned closer to the screen.
"Who?" she asked.
Cara tapped the display.
A familiar name appeared.
Marcus Hale.