Charles was in the middle of a meeting when his phone suddenly rang.
In the dimly lit conference room, only the flickering light of the projector cast shifting shadows across his sharp features, giving him a cold, unapproachable charm.
The crisp ringtone echoed through the room, catching everyone's attention. The department heads looked around in surprise.
Charles never brought his phone into meetings—never.
But the call didn't even last a full ring cycle.
The moment Charles saw the caller ID, his expression shifted ever so slightly—then he answered.
Up on the stage, Giles was presenting the new product proposal, completely unaware that within three seconds of that phone ringing, Charles's face had darkened. He shoved his chair aside and strode out of the room without a word.
No explanation. No pause.
Just raw, sudden urgency.
