The conversation did not continue right after Nate spoke. The private room stayed quiet, but the silence felt calm. It hung in the air at the table, suggesting understanding rather than disagreement. No one hurried to break the pause.
Julian was the one who eventually spoke. He did not raise his voice or change his posture much. He just shifted in his chair slightly and said, "We were not there that night."
He did not say which night. He did not have to. Everyone understood.
Franz stayed quiet. He sat upright with his hands resting on the table, steady but relaxed.
Gil glanced down for a moment before looking up again, his forearms on the table.
"We thought it was just internal noise," he said calmly. "Family issues. Board disagreements. Something she would handle by morning."
Nate nodded beside him, his jaw tightening slightly. "She usually did."
They had seen her handle worse before. They thought this would be the same.
