The Mystery Files - Chapter 12:Beyond Cold Logic

Ali, Omer, and Sajjad occupied their usual corner table in the cafeteria during the morning tea break.

Outside, the December morning carried a crisp, pleasant chill.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qGoyuPH3F

Inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the spacious cafeteria.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh0AMLo51h

Haideron Tech's coffee had earned a reputation of its own—from dark Italian espresso to spiced Turkish blends—and regardless of the season, the three of them rarely missed their morning ritual.

Ali absent-mindedly stirred his coffee, the spoon clinking softly against the thick ceramic mug.

"I still can't make sense of what happened with the HT Corridor."

Omer raised an eyebrow.

"The relocation?"

Ali nodded slowly.

"The agreement had already been finalized and signed."

"Then, four days later..."

"...the entire project was shifted across the city."

Sajjad let out a dramatic sigh, leaning back until his chair gave a protesting squeak.

"Are you two still agonizing over that?"

Omer rested his elbows on the table.

"Can you blame us?"

"A multi-million-dollar project doesn't usually have its site changed within four days."

Sajjad shook his head, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"That's because both of you think like engineers."

"You honestly believe every high-level corporate decision begins with cold logic..."

"...and ends with a neat stack of paperwork."

He lifted his mug.

"Paperwork isn't sacred."

"New agreements can be drafted."

"Old ones can be declared null and void."

Ali regarded him with a calm, unreadable expression.

"And you're different than us? Speaking as if you are not an engineer yourself?"

Sajjad tapped the handle of his spoon lightly against his mug.

"I pay attention to the human element."

"That's the difference."

Omer rolled his eyes.

"Oh boy..."

"...here we go."

Sajjad ignored him completely and leaned across the table as though he were about to reveal a closely guarded secret.

"The Boss doesn't tell everyone everything."

"He tells people only what they need to know."

"And sometimes..."

"...some people simply happen to know a little more."

Omer chuckled.

"And those 'some people' wouldn't happen to include you, would they?"

A deeply satisfied smile spread across Sajjad's face.

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to," Omer replied.

Ali let their familiar exchange run its course before leaning forward.

"Skip the mystery."

"What actually happened?"

Sajjad lowered his voice and glanced briefly towards the bustling counter.

"The morning after I told the Boss about that uncanny encounter near the old airport..."

"...he called me straight into his executive suite."

"He asked me—and only me—to drive him to meet the overseas delegates."

Ali's fingers froze around the handle of his mug.

"Only you?"

"Only me."

Omer folded his arms.

"I'm beginning to think you keep a written record of these golden moments."

"I'd be a fool not to," Sajjad replied with a grin.

"When the CEO of the biggest technology company in the republic personally asks you to take the wheel..."

"...you remember every second."

Ali remained focused.

"What happened then?"

"We drove straight to the new site near the terminal."

"He walked the delegates to the edge of the plot..."

"...looked across the land..."

"...and simply said—"

"'Gentlemen... perhaps this location deserves another look.'"

"And?" Omer asked, despite himself leaning forward.

"They looked around."

"Exchanged a few glances."

"They liked what they saw."

"That was it."

Ali frowned.

"Just like that?"

"No lengthy discussions?"

"No objections over the signed agreement?"

Sajjad shrugged.

"Not every important meeting turns into a courtroom battle."

"When Mr. Haider presents a vision..."

"...people usually fall in line."

A teasing smile appeared on Omer's face.

"So..."

"...the republic's finest negotiator needed Mr. Sajjad Zaheer beside him the second time?"

Sajjad adjusted his collar with mock offence.

"I never claimed that."

"But I was the one he asked to accompany him."

"You two may draw your own conclusions."

Omer laughed.

"Convenient."

Ali, however, remained silent.

His eyes stayed fixed on the thin ribbon of steam rising from his coffee.

"That's not the part that's bothering me."

The light-hearted mood faded.

Both of them looked at him.

Ali spoke carefully.

"You told him a frightening story, Sajjad."

"Most people in his position would've dismissed it."

Sajjad frowned.

"You accepted it almost immediately too."

Ali stiffened, but offered no explanation.

"Right now..."

"...I'm talking about Mr. Haider."

"A man like him doesn't redirect a project of that scale..."

"...unless something genuinely convinces him."

Sajjad straightened slightly.

"Maybe my opinion carries weight with him."

Ali slowly shook his head.

"No."

"I don't think that's it."

An uneasy silence settled over the table.

Even the constant chatter around the cafeteria seemed to fade.

For the first time that morning, Sajjad looked uncertain.

"Then what do you think it was?"

Ali stared into the dark surface of his coffee.

"I think..."

"...your story merely confirmed something."

Sajjad's brow furrowed.

"Confirmed what?"

Ali remained silent for a long moment.

Finally he answered quietly,

"I don't know."

"And that's exactly what's bothering me."

The silence lingered until Sajjad abruptly clapped his hands together.

"Enough of this gloomy talk."

"I've got better news."

He lifted his mug in a small toast.

"The New Year's Eve gathering at Dilraaz Manor."

"The Boss is going to officially announce the HT Corridor project there."

A proud grin spread across his face.

"And yes..."

"...I already knew."

Omer chuckled.

"I should've guessed."

Sajjad raised an eyebrow.

"Guessed what?"

"That corporate news would reach your ears before it reached HR."

Even Ali managed a faint smile.

Sajjad accepted it as though it were sincere praise.

"I make it my duty to stay informed."

He pushed back his chair.

"Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"...I'm getting us some fresh sandwiches."

As soon as he disappeared into the crowd near the counter, Omer leaned slightly closer to Ali.

"You still think something doesn't add up?"

Ali's gaze drifted beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows to the grey winter skyline hanging over the city.

"The relocation itself doesn't bother me."

"The speed does."

Omer frowned.

"The speed?"

Ali nodded slowly.

"Mr. Haider doesn't strike me as a man who frightens easily."

He paused.

His sea-green eyes darkened thoughtfully.

"Unless..."

"...Sajjad's story reminded him of something he already knew."

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