The office felt different that morning. Quieter, heavier somehow. Mina arrived early, earlier than usual, eyes ringed faintly with sleeplessness but her hair tied neatly, determination stitched into her smile.
She'd promised herself she wouldn't let yesterday's disaster haunt her. The project was stabilizing again, and she still had her job, that was enough.
She walked past Isaac's glass-walled office with a polite bow of her head. "Good morning, sir."
"Miss Kang." His voice stopped her mid-step.
He didn't sound angry, not exactly, just uncertain. Mina blinked and turned. "Yes, sir?"
Isaac gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "Sit." She obeyed, posture perfect, hands folded tight in her lap.
For a few seconds, he didn't say anything. The hum of the AC and the faint clicking of keyboards from outside filled the silence. He was studying her, or maybe searching for the right words. Finally, he asked quietly, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"...Sir?"
"About the Leo report."
