He waved a hand dismissively, turning towards his screens as they flickered to life, data streams rolling across the glassy surfaces.
The room fell silent except for the quiet hum of the monitors and the faint rustle of the incense curling into the cool, dim air.
Outside, the afternoon shadows lengthened along the corridor floors, as in that study, power was woven into silent, unbreakable threads that would shape the fate of nations in the days to come.
— — — —
Lu Ting Cheng, who had left his brother's study room door, heard the quiet click of the door behind him swallowed by the hush of the corridor.
His polished shoes tapped steadily along the marble floor as he walked down to his own private wing.
He entered his study room, pushing the heavy mahogany door open with a fluid motion.
The lights flickered on automatically, illuminating the expansive space lined with glass-panelled bookshelves, confidential cabinets, and two wide workstations.
