ADRIAN strode into his office the next morning with an energy Peter hadn't seen in years. The man who had left for the gala last night looking tense and restless now wore the faintest hint of a smile, one that refused to leave his face.

Peter followed him in, setting a neat stack of files on his desk.

"You look unusually… cheerful. What happened back there when I wasn't looking?" He chuckled.

Adrian dropped into his leather chair, leaning back with a deep exhale as if replaying every moment. He swirled the glass of water in his hand, grinning slightly.

"She listened, Peter. For the first time in months— no,...