1. Derek Lawson alone in his office after the meeting, seated now with jacket back on, laptop angled toward him. On screen: an email draft with subject line 'Q4 budget alignment'. Beside the keyboard: the remediation page Ethan left behind, Derek's legal pad with neat bullet points, and a cooling espresso in a small white cup. Outside the glass wall, office staff move in soft focus. Gray noon light. Wednesday, 11:06 — Fit and Governance Derek stayed standing for a moment after Ethan left, one hand still on the doorknob.

    Wednesday, 11:06 — Fit and Governance

    Derek Lawson alone in his office after the meeting, seated now with jacket back on, laptop angled toward him. On screen: an email draft with subject line 'Q4 budget alignment'. Beside the keyboard: the remediation page Ethan left behind, Derek's legal pad with neat bullet points, and a cooling espresso in a small white cup. Outside the glass wall, office staff move in soft focus. Gray noon light.
  2. Derek Lawson's office with glass wall and closed door. Derek Lawson: navy suit trousers, white shirt, sleeves precise, no tie, expensive watch catching the light, seated behind a glass desk with the CI dashboard open on one monitor and a legal pad squared to the edge. Ethan Carter: charcoal hoodie, black t-shirt, dark jeans, laptop open beside the printed packet, one hand resting on the top page. On a side chair: a navy blazer Derek has draped there for effect. Framed trade-show photos and museum gala pictures behind him. Gray daylight, damp parking lot outside. Wednesday, 10:44 — The Gentle Knife Derek Lawson stood when Ethan entered, which was generous of him in exactly the way a staged gesture is generous.

    Wednesday, 10:44 — The Gentle Knife

    Derek Lawson's office with glass wall and closed door. Derek Lawson: navy suit trousers, white shirt, sleeves precise, no tie, expensive watch catching the light, seated behind a glass desk with the CI dashboard open on one monitor and a legal pad squared to the edge. Ethan Carter: charcoal hoodie, black t-shirt, dark jeans, laptop open beside the printed packet, one hand resting on the top page. On a side chair: a navy blazer Derek has draped there for effect. Framed trade-show photos and museum gala pictures behind him. Gray daylight, damp parking lot outside.