"Yes, excellent work. Remember to keep a low profile, do not let slip a single vulnerability."
Julian Sterling added a few final words of caution before ending the call.
The room instantly reverted to its inherent tranquility, the silence broken only by the soft, rhythmic cadence of his own breathing. Julian allowed his hand to go limp, letting the mobile phone tumble from his grasp onto the mattress with a dull, muffled thud. He exhaled a long, heavy sigh, feeling the tide of exhaustion once again rising to claim his body.
The conversation had demanded a far greater expenditure of mental energy than he had anticipated. He closed his eyes, acutely aware of the dull, throbbing ache radiating through his lower back and the profound emptiness that seemed to echo within the vast, luxurious chamber.
Ethan Caldwell had not yet returned, of that, Julian was fairly certain.
