The gazes of the two powerful men met across the room, and for a moment, the air seemed to tighten between them.
Both men were smiling, but neither looked particularly relaxed. Their polite expressions hid the quiet tension underneath, like two lions standing still while waiting to see which one would make the first move.
Lina returned from the balcony after ending her call.
The moment she opened the door, she sensed something strange.
She looked from Julian to Lucien.
Both men appeared perfectly calm.
Neither was arguing. Neither looked angry.
Lina frowned slightly.
Had she imagined the tension?
Before she could ask, Julian stood and took the warm milk he had prepared earlier from the microwave.
"Drink it while it's still warm."
Lina accepted the cup without thinking and sat down between the two men.
Lucien looked at Julian.
"How did you end up here?"
Julian smiled.
"Lina asked me to come over. But why didn't President Cole say you were coming?"
