A car drove along the lake before turning toward the private entrance of the Montreux Elite Capital Forum. The building was simple, made of stone and glass, with clean lines and muted steel. Its facade reflected the dark lake and the cloudy winter sky. Security barriers opened without any visible guards. The event didn't need a big show. Everyone invited already knew what it was about.
Inside the car, the heater made a quiet sound. Franz reviewed a briefing on his tablet, the screen's light highlighting his jaw. He took his time reading it. After finishing the last page, he closed the file and placed the tablet down between them.
Arianne looked at the lake through the window. Montreux at night had a different light than Montclair, even though both cities were in the same country. The lake didn't reflect the city cleanly. The lights broke apart across the surface instead of holding their shape. It felt colder here. Sharper.
"What's the schedule after we register?" Franz asked.
