Jared instinctively stepped in front of Jerica, shielding her as Lydia Sutherland entered the room. Her poised, graceful demeanor was undercut by the palpable tension that followed her presence. Arthur moved toward her, his expression softening into a smile that seemed oddly at ease. Jared frowned. Arthur wasn't surprised to see her—no, it was as if he had asked her to be there.
Lydia approached the group, her gaze briefly lingering on Jerica before she nodded a greeting. Jerica hesitated but returned the nod, her lips pressed into a thin line. The air in the room grew heavy as everyone took their seats around the coffee table, the weight of unspoken words thick between them.
"So…" Jared finally broke the silence, his voice strained as he addressed Arthur. "The report was exchanged?"