Grant Montgomery leaned over his mahogany desk at Montgomery Legal Services, his blue eyes narrowed in concentration as he pored over a stack of legal briefs. The office was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustling of papers and the soft hum of the air conditioning. It was one of those rare moments where the usual chaos seemed to recede, and Grant relished the brief silence.

His focus was shattered by a soft knock on the door. Grant’s irritation flared instinctively; he prided himself on maintaining an unbroken rhythm of productivity. With a grunt of acknowledgment, he barked, "Come in."

The door opened smoothly, and Lucy Stevens entered with her usual poised grace. She carried an envelope in her hand, her green eyes meeting his with an unwavering calm. Despite her subordinate status, Lucy was the one person in the office who had mastered the delicate balance of maintaining professionalism while managing Grant's occasional surges of impatience.

Grant glanced up, momentarily taken aback by her serene presence. He respected Lucy not only for her competence but also for her ability to handle his most irritable moments without faltering. "What is it, Lucy?" he asked, his tone softer than it had been a moment ago.