Eli tapped his right foot steadily against the floorboards.

“Your nose has a slight dorsal hump,” Eli said in a rapid burst.

“And your orbital bones are asymmetrical.

I memorized the corporate headshots on your company website last week.”

Daniel backed up a single step, bumping hard into a velvet chair.

“You’re competing,” Daniel said.

“We earned our spot just like everyone else,” Owen said softly.

Owen stepped slightly in front of his mother to shield her from the man he had never met.