"Is there a problem, Mr. Vale?" I repeated again. All the other members of the board of directors had stopped to look at him.
"No, no," he said.
"I mean, if there is something else we are yet to discuss, it's best to address it now," one of the directors added, watching him closely.
Obviously embarrassed, Adrian scrambled to recover. "It's a matter Nova and I have been working on recently, but we can discuss it later."
His eyes shifted toward me, almost expectant, almost hopeful. Was he hinting that I should stay behind and talk to him? Pathetic. The correct move here was to let him stew in uncertainty.
"Oh, that thing," I said, clapping my hands lightly as if I suddenly remembered. I pretended I understood a single thing he was referring to. His face brightened immediately, as if we shared some secret.
