A sharp knock broke the low hum of air-conditioning.
"Sir Ernesto," Mira called, cracking the door open just enough to peek in. Her clipboard was already up. "Apologies for the interruption. An update: Mr. Arthur Vance, CEO of Rockstar North, and his board will be arriving in approximately three hours."
Ernesto didn't look up immediately. He was mid-paragraph in a printed report, pen paused mid-air. When he did glance over the rim of his glasses, it was with the calm of a man used to earthquakes.
"Thank you, Mira," he said simply, nodding once. "Inform the security to be prepared. Treat it like a soft lockdown."
He looked sideways, toward the man leaning against the window frame.
"Richard."
Richard straightened up from his slouched lean, already half-scrolling on his tablet.
"Everything's on schedule."
"Remind Jack to prepare," Ernesto added, not looking at him.
Richard smirked. "That... may already be a lost cause."
