The shift was subtle, and already within Arianne's expectations.
Arianne saw that reports were arriving later than usual. Their summaries were more cautious. Updates that used to end with clear information now closed with phrases like "pending further clarification" or "awaiting confirmation."
No one said her name. No one needed to. They were waiting for her to define herself.
They were waiting.
She skimmed through the files she received from Gio without comment. Her fingers were steady as she closed one folder and opened the next one. Around the table, conversation moved more carefully, as if everyone were aware that the room no longer operated on momentum alone.
"Several approvals have slowed," a manager said. "Nothing critical. Just… hesitation."
Arianne looked up. "Where?"
The answer came with a pause. "Across departments."
She nodded once and said nothing more.
That was the problem.
Alexander's silence had once steadied rooms like this. Arianne's unsettled them.
