The Shadow Empire

ith a blend of excitement and anxiety as she navigated through the opulent lobby, the majesty of it all nearly inviting. Chand

herself, clinging to the leather portf

an altitudinous man in an acclimatized watercolor suit, his dark hair oiled back and his aspect fixed hardly on his phone

e nameplate beside the el

to Elena's for a bit of an alternate. She felt a jolt, as if the room had suddenly been galvanized.

sed, and the

oke through the silence. It was Alexan

herself. " Yes,Mr. Voss. I 'm then for the

m, nearly disarmingly so. " I 've h

Thank you,Mr. Voss. It's an hono

ying on his lips. " Let's see if you

onference room overlooking the megacity. As the group filed out, Elena felt a hand g

n,Ms. Russo, " he said still, his voic

down the hallway with the confidence of a man wh

g from the brief hassle. The room was soon filled with the buzz of discussion and

her. She took a deep breath and began to speak, her voice steady and c

head of the table. His aspect was fixed on her, his expression undeciphera

er voice strong. " I 'm confident that this will be a cornerstone for New York Ci

pted into applause. Elena allowed herself a small

t, his eyes now leaving her

d, his voice low and deliberate

ice betraying the exhilaration of his praise.

aid, his tone leaving no room for turndown. "

s they walked down the hallway, she could n't shake the feeling that she w

rn, and perfectly organized. bottom- to- ceiling windows offered a panora

id, waving to a leather presid

f it were a lifeline. Alexander settled into h

irm. " But ambition is exactly what we need. Tell me,Ms. Rus

at reflects the dynamic energy of New York City, " she said. " A structure that

tly. " And do you suppose you 're ready for the

rpose . " I 've worked my entire career

watching her with an intensity that made her

the corners of his mouth. " Because this design

. She had a feeling that this was just the morning of