As the doors closed behind them, Mei spoke again.
"Just so you know—HQ's not planning anything drastic. Yet."
Sera looked at her.
Mei's expression was calm.
"But if he keeps rising this fast, and if people start grouping around him..."
"Hmm?" Sera asked.
Mei looked ahead.
"...then we keep watching. That's all. I mean, yeah, we're paying attention—but honestly, it's mostly because Miss Lilith asked us to."
Sera raised an eyebrow.
"She asked personally?"
Mei nodded. "Yeah. As an honorary vice-president. And that's rare. So the President didn't ignore it. He sent me right away."
The elevator chimed softly as it rose.
Sera stayed silent.
But her thoughts were no longer calm.
Not about Ethan.
Not about Mei.
And not about what might happen if either side made the wrong call.
The doors opened.
And the meeting was just ahead.
Inside the conference room on Level 7, the air was cool and still.
