Alliance

Henry stood by the large conference room window, looking out at the skyline, the glow of the city stretching into the evening. Alison entered quietly, holding the stack of reports that outlined the strategy they'd need to enact together. She could feel the tension in the room before she even sat down.

"We need to move fast," she said, setting the papers on the table and sitting across from Henry. "Altus won't wait. They're pushing aggressively into your market. If we don't counter soon, they'll have a significant foothold."

Henry's gaze didn't leave the window. He seemed lost in thought, weighing the risks, the outcomes—whether he could really trust her. The silence stretched on, and Alison wondered if he'd ever say anything at all.

When he finally turned, his face was unreadable. "You're good at making plans, Alison. But execution is where trust comes in."