The invitation was not a request.
Eleanor Chen stood in the center of the living room at precisely 9:00 AM, holding a wooden spoon like a scepter, and announced that everyone—everyone—would be attending a family dinner that evening. No exceptions. No excuses. No "I have a server migration to monitor" or "I have a PowerPoint to finish" or "I have a security protocol to review."
"Sophie, you will be here," Eleanor said, pointing the spoon at Sophie, who had just walked in carrying a box of bagels. "Bring your laptop if you must, but you will eat dumplings with the rest of us."
"Wouldn't miss it," Sophie said. "I've already cleared my schedule. Kevin cleared it for me."
"Kevin, you will stop monitoring whatever you monitor and join the table."
Kevin looked up from his three screens. "I monitor seventeen different systems. Some of them require continuous oversight."
"Then bring your laptop to the table. I'm not unreasonable."
