After thinking deeply about the points, Jessie opened her mouth to speak.
"For the first problem, because we need an outside referee, someone uninfluenced, the correct option would be to bring in representatives from a rival country to analyze the structure of our Male Protection Act."
Grace didn't respond immediately. Her fingers tapped the table in a steady rhythm as she listened.
Jessie continued, maintaining her focus.
"But with only two weeks before the next meeting, that isn't possible. The diplomatic procedures alone would take too long, along with the formal arrangements required."
She paused briefly to gauge Grace's reaction, but nothing changed in her expression or posture.
"So, I believe you already considered this a long time ago, which is why you introduced the lottery system."
Grace's tapping shifted slightly in pace, subtle enough that most would miss it.
Jessie caught it and continued without hesitation.
"Because of that system, you were able to secure two willing participants. One of them has a notoriously bad reputation, and even if that wasn't planned, he is still the perfect candidate for neutrality."
"The second is a female from the outskirts, a small business owner with no connection to any Piao family line."
"They are completely independent from the family, but still competent enough to be respected." Jessie added, her tone grounding slightly.
"Even their infrastructure work speaks for itself. The floors we stand on were built by their family, and their work is widely used."
Grace's tapping slowed for a fraction of a second, almost imperceptible.
Jessie continued immediately, her focus tightening rather than her emotion.
"Because of that, and because they do not bow to threats or bribery, the public already treats them with a kind of reluctant respect."
"So those two outsiders will most likely set to observe the system over the next two weeks, analyze how the Piao family operates, and decide in the next meeting whether it is acceptable."
Grace didn't respond. She only continued tapping her fingers against the table in a steady, controlled rhythm.
Jessie moved on anyway.
"For the second problem, the opposition never actually presented a replacement system. The only way to respond is to formally assign them a requirement for the next meeting. They must present either a concrete replacement system or concrete steps forward. Not hypotheticals. Not criticism alone."
"If they cannot provide structured alternatives, then their argument holds no weight."
"Third?" Grace finally spoke.
"The third issue is that the residents need a concrete date or measurable conditions that define the end point. 'Safe' is not a usable metric." Jessie straightened slightly.
A brief pause followed.
"Your overall plan is solid. It is close to what I would have proposed." Grace finally gave her acknowledgment.
"But—" Grace Piao said, her eyes shifting slightly toward Jessie. "Isn't there anything else major that is not explicitly implied in the documents?"
Silence.
Grace's fingers stopped tapping, her eyes now looking straight at Jessie.
Jessie hesitated before speaking. "Are you speaking about… Angel Piao's incident?"
A faint smirk appeared on Grace's face in response.
Jessie immediately panicked. This was a trap.
"No, no, no, I didn't notice anything. Nothing at all."
Her hands moved quickly, betraying her words.
Grace stood up. She then slowly walked toward her.
Jessie instinctively stepped back.
Step by step, Grace followed until Jessie's back met the wall.
Grace stopped a hand's width away and leaned in slightly, her voice lowering near Jessie's ear.
"One of these days, we need to have a serious match."
Jessie swallowed hard.
"I… I don't— I can't— my lady—"
Her sentence broke apart under pressure.
Grace turned slightly toward the other assistant in the room.
"You heard what Jessie said. Implement the solutions."
"Yes," the assistant replied immediately, before leaving to carry out the orders.
Jessie remained frozen for a moment before forcing herself to move. She returned to her desk and began organizing it with excessive precision, as if order could erase what just happened.
Then Grace called out.
"Jessie."
"Yes, my lady." Jessie stopped instantly.
Grace spoke. "Do you think using one's strength in a place strictly meant for words and persuasion is proper behavior?"
Jessie's hands tightened slightly. She already understood who this referred to.
Angel.
She took a breath before answering.
"My lady… Angel Piao did use what was available to her. Every participant uses their own tools, whether that is data, rhetoric, or structure. She has lived through both military and civilian environments, which allows her to project presence in a controlled manner."
She paused, then added carefully.
"It was only directed. It only affected the opposition group, not the lottery participants or internal members."
Grace raised her hand, stopping Jessie's flow.
"So, you are really telling me it did not affect you in any way?"
Jessie froze for half a second.
"…It is not that I—"
"I am not trying to remove her ability," Grace interrupted, her tone still controlled. "But there are limits. If it was light pressure, I would not care. But what she did caused unnatural reactions in the opposition. That crosses a line."
"My lady… the others only described it as feeling cold. That was all," Jessie said more quietly.
"And if that happens every time she speaks?" Grace asked. "Once is coincidence. Twice is suspicion. Three times is a pattern."
A pause followed.
Jessie opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Grace exhaled once.
"Go get Angel. Tell her to meet me at the indoor shooting range, Subsection F."
"Yes." Jessie bowed. "Understood, my lady. I will ensure your message is delivered clearly."
She left.
Grace remained alone for a moment.
Then she also left.