The fourth floor was quieter than the third—fewer people, more space between desks, the kind of atmosphere that encouraged focused work rather than conversation.
Noel stepped off the elevator, adjusting his bag on his shoulder, and headed toward his department.
Ren spotted him first, looking up from his computer. "Hey, you're back."
"Yeah, just got in."
"How was Japan?" Jace asked from across the room, spinning in his chair.
"Good. Productive." Noel set his bag down at his desk, logging into his computer.
"Max said you handled the client presentation really well," Ren said.
"It was a team effort."
"That's not what Max said," Jace grinned. "He said you basically carried it."
Before Noel could respond, the office door opened and Mr. Max walked in, coffee in hand, looking remarkably refreshed for someone who'd just flown back from Japan.
