Villain Path?

Out in the lobby, Katherine, the receptionist, looked up from her desk, confusion flashing across her face. "Already done, Mr. Parker?"

Her eyes darted between Parker and Ava, noting the tension simmering between them. Parker didn't respond, the storm in his gaze enough to make her sit straighter.

"Layman happened, didn't he?" Katherine muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Ava glanced at Parker as they stepped outside. "You know," she said, voice low and deliberate, "this isn't how Sophisticated Space operates. People like Layman are the exception, not the rule. Their higher-ups wouldn't tolerate this."

Parker shoved his hands into his pockets, scanning the bustling city street ahead. "Doesn't matter. If that's the face of their company here, I'm out."

"Mr. Parker," Ava pressed, "Layman's a cog in the machine. The execs? They'd flip out if they knew he just cost them a client like you."