"Where is she?"
Teddy, Hayley, Shawn, and Patricia looked back at Atlas, who stood by the entrance with a grim expression. It was almost intimidating, but Hayley managed to find her voice.
"The CEO left this morning," she explained, repeating the same excuse Teddy and Patricia had given to Hugo and Grace. She smiled and added, "I don't think she'll be back until it's all resolved… whatever it is."
"She left without taking any of you?" he asked, unknowingly echoing Grace's earlier question.
Hayley smiled slightly. "That's our shortcoming—we weren't mindful enough."
"This should be a lesson for all of you. She isn't the one to follow you around, but the other way around. If you're not alert or ready at any time, you might reconsider your position." Atlas studied their faces, each wearing a different expression.
After a moment, he sighed, turned his back on them, and left without another word. Still, he managed to leave an impression.