The woman tilted her head, her expression unwavering, scanning him with the precision of someone who already knew the weaknesses she could exploit. “Explain what? That you promised Friday and then failed?” Her voice was calm, but each word struck like a deliberate strike. She knew the stakes. She wasn’t here to negotiate; she was here to hold power.

I felt the edges of my chest tighten. Every instinct told me to step back, but I didn’t. I stayed still, letting my presence anchor the situation. Ethan couldn’t regain control without me moving first, without conceding something.

Ethan’s eyes flicked to me briefly, panic flashing, then to the supervisor at the counter, and back to the woman—Morgan. His lips pressed into a thin line, jaw flexing as he attempted to find footing in the chaos.

“This isn’t the time,” he whispered harshly, trying to pull the phone away, his voice low, meant for her ears only.