The tension in the conference room was palpable, a thick, heady miasma that seemed to permeate every corner, every crevice of the space. Brielle sat at the head of the table, her spine ramrod straight and her expression a mask of cool professionalism as she surveyed the assembled teams.

Across from her, Darius lounged in his chair, the very picture of nonchalance – but Brielle knew better than to be fooled by his casual demeanor. She could see the predatory gleam in his eyes, the subtle tells that betrayed the razor-sharp mind at work beneath that polished exterior.

As the negotiations wore on, each side parrying and thrusting with carefully...