He paused mid-step, his usual grace fracturing as he turned back. “Juni, I know it looks bad, but if we can demonstrate a pattern of… ”

“Whatever you think is best.” Something almost sweet crossed her face before it disappeared. Her eyes fixed on some distant point beyond his shoulder. “I know you have your priorities. Don’t let us keep you.”

Something flickered across his features… that particular blink-and-shake that happens when the room suddenly comes back into focus. His gaze slid down and sideways torward her, taking her measure without facing her. His shoulders squared beneath his suit jacket. “I’ll be at the office. We can regroup once I’ve drafted…”

“Yeah, none of that is signal,” Juniper cut in. They watched as she unchambered her expression - clinical, distant, aimed at him like a weapon. Her voice pitched for Sophia’s ears though her eyes remained locked ahead. “All noise.”