The glass doors of the office building slid open, and Julius stepped inside the lobby for the first time in what felt like an eternity. The morning sun rushed through the large windows, hitting the floor.
The moment his feet touched the rug, the busy hum of the reception area immediately got quiet. Dozens of employees froze in their tracks. A group of accountants holding paper folders stopped talking.
Some of the older staff members looked at him with visible relief, their shoulders dropping as they realized their boss is actually alive. But many others quickly looked away. They lowered their heads, pretending to study their phones or their shoes, completely terrified to meet his gaze.
