Almost gritting teeth, harsh enough to cut through ears.
The omission of names felt more like a declaration of disdain and drawing a line.
Song Heping was unfazed by this, having long expected it to be so.
He met James' murderous gaze, and very slightly nodded, the gesture so small it was like a faint twitch of neck muscles.
No words, no expression, but that complete and superior disregard was more damaging than any direct rebuke.
He walked straight to his seat, pulled out the chair, and sat down.
The movement was smooth and natural, as if the tense scene had never occurred.
The "Hunter" silently stood by the wall behind him, like a quiet shadow, but his eyes never left Major James and the US Army officers beside him.
Colonel Kote's eyes flickered with a trace of helplessness but quickly masked over.
