Zoe rushed back from lunch, her hair still tousled from the wind, her mind racing. She barely had time to digest her food—the clock was already reminding her of the meeting ahead. She went straight to the restroom, brushed her teeth, splashed water on her face, touched up her makeup quickly and efficiently, then walked toward the conference room with determined steps. She carried a stack of folders and her tablet, her eyes scanning the meeting agenda.

Inside the room, she set up the last details: straightening chairs, turning on the projector, checking the numbers on the screen. Employees trickled in, each one looking tense. Everyone already knew this wasn’t going to be a pleasant meeting.

Thor arrived abruptly. The door slammed open so hard that a few people flinched. He wore a flawless black suit, but it was his glare that froze the room. He looked like a volcano on the verge of erupting.

“Good afternoon,” Thor said, his voice sharp with irritation. “Sit. Let’s get straight to