The second issue appeared two days later.
It arrived not as a report, but as a casual remark at the end of a meeting. It was almost an afterthought, delivered while people were already gathering their things.
The meeting room had already begun to empty. Chairs shifted back into place, and screens dimmed as attention drifted elsewhere.
"The vendor confirmation is still pending," the project lead said. "We'll follow up tomorrow."
No one looked concerned.
"Which vendor?" Franz asked. He was still seated, waiting for Arianne to gather her things so they could leave together.
"Logistic partner," the man replied. "They're saying the contract needs another review on their end."
"That happens," someone commented. "We'll just have to wait."
No one lingered on the comment.
The meeting moved on, but Arianne didn't. Her silence immediately caught Franz's attention. Her words from the last two days replay in his mind.
