The London sky was a dull, washed-out gray when Joon-hyuk entered the LJ European HQ, the weight of the crisis sitting heavily on his shoulders. The glass façade of the building reflected the gloomy afternoon, droplets of rain from the light drizzle streaking down the windows. The city smelled faintly of wet asphalt and roasted coffee from nearby cafés. Inside, the lobby was stark and minimalist—white walls, black marble floors, and polished chrome surfaces—but even the sleek, clean environment did little to ease the tension gripping him.
He didn't waste time greeting anyone. His tailored black coat hung from his shoulders like armor as he walked straight into the conference room, loosening his tie and settling into the chair at the head of the long table. The screens lining the walls blinked quietly with graphs and live data feeds. He dialed Seoul, voice steady, but every nerve in his body was alert.
His assistant in Korea picked up immediately.
