Mike stood frozen for a long moment after everyone left. The room still crackled with unspoken tension, Cynthia watching him from where she stood, her arms folded tightly across her chest. Damien was pacing again, glancing from Cynthia to Mike, unsure what to say or do. The silence was deafening.

Then, with a sharp sigh, Mike turned toward Damien, something raw flashing in his eyes before he masked it behind his usual cold exterior. "You did well bringing this to me," he muttered.

Damien blinked, clearly surprised. "Sir?"

"I mean it," Mike said, this time with more force. "You could’ve stayed quiet. You didn’t. That takes balls." He paused, then...