A Father's Biased Appeal

Julian Croft looked down at his phone, checking the time. Elara had been gone almost ten minutes. The next presentation would start soon, and they couldn't afford to miss anything if they wanted to meet Newman's impossible deadline.

The crowd in the exhibition hall shifted, and Julian spotted Alistair Dubois making a beeline toward him. His posture was upright, confident, with an easy smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Beside him walked Vivienne, elegant in a tailored navy suit, and Lennox, whose piercing gaze seemed to evaluate everything in her path.

Julian tensed. This wasn't random. They had deliberately waited until Elara was elsewhere.

"Mr. Croft," Alistair extended his hand, his voice smooth as polished marble. "I've been hoping to meet you. I'm Alistair Dubois."

Julian accepted the handshake with professional courtesy. "Mr. Dubois. A pleasure."