mustered a small smile. He took another step forward, bringing their faces too close.

"But if it came to it," he said, his quiet voice now laced with that familiar ferocity, "I would tear through a hundred of you to protect my son."

Startled, Sayeva stepped back. Samuel narrowed his eyes. "Don't ever play me like that again, Sayeva Reardon."

He walked past her and out of the office, stopping to greet no one, with the folder in his hands.

---

"Boyfriend problems?" Winters asked.

Sayeva scowled and pressed Record. The microphone came alive.

"I'm just making an observation." Winters shrugged. "Your shadow is missing today."

As though conjured, Samuel entered the NOSPN break room then. Sayeva did not look up...

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