Just then, the door swung open, and Matthew hurried in before Gideon could fully register Summer's words.
"Sir, there is…" Matthew stopped mid-sentence when he saw Summer. His steps faltered, uncertainty flashing across his face. "I—I'll come back later."
He turned to leave.
"Wait," Gideon called from behind, halting him.
Matthew looked back at Gideon and then glanced at Summer. "I didn't mean to interrupt, but it's urgent and—" His words trailed off, hesitation clear in his demeanor.
He had something important to discuss that he couldn't say with Summer present.
Gideon understood it very well.
"Summer, you should leave now," he said. "We'll talk later. You can either finish your work or leave. It's your choice."
Summer stayed silent, disappointment settling over her. Gideon hadn't listened. It felt deliberate, as though he had refused to hear anything about Hope.
