Mutually Assured Destruction

Alexander "Xander" Stone's eyes were fixed on the glowing screen before him, his mind a whirlwind of strategies and negotiations that had consumed his day. The silence of his expansive office was broken by a subtle vibration from his meticulously organized desk. It was a notification on his phone – an alert he'd been anticipating since the afternoon. He tapped the screen and his lips curled into a half-smile at the message: 'Eleanor Bonny is en route to your office.'

Meanwhile, Eleanor, her heart pulsing with a curious blend of excitement and trepidation, was standing before the elevator. She could still recall the mix of surprise and awe that flickered across the security guard's face when she entered the building – a reaction to her unexpected presence at such a late hour. She scanned the badge Alexander had given her, expecting the usual prompt to select a floor. Instead, the elevator chimed, signaling its automatic ascent to the top level. As the doors opened, she stepped out into