---
Sekhmet nodded once. "Good," he replied.
Mira hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Young master," she said. "That space you use. It is… unusual."
Sekhmet looked at her.
Mira's eyes remained steady. She was not accusing. She was not begging. She was simply acknowledging reality.
Sekhmet's voice stayed calm.
"It is mine," he said. "Your job is not to understand it. Your job is to make Dawn House business stronger."
Mira bowed slightly deeper. "Understood," she replied.
Elena approached again, eyes scanning the courtyard.
"How much did you buy," she asked.
"Enough," Sekhmet replied.
Elena nodded once, satisfied.
Bat Bat shuffled closer, holding her writing board like it was a shield.
She looked at Sekhmet with wounded eyes.
"Master," Bat Bat said, "Bat Bat worked hard today."
Elena's voice cut in. "She drew a few lines and cried twice," she said.
Bat Bat pointed at Elena with outrage. "Elena tell lies," she accused.
Sekhmet looked at Bat Bat.
