“Another family emergency,” Irene Kovacs explained gently, scanning the schedule with visible discomfort. Paul exhaled slowly, adjusting his cufflinks with deliberate restraint before replying, “In four years she never mentioned family, yet suddenly emergencies appear repeatedly without war:ning.”
Irene hesitated briefly, sensing the familiar storm building beneath Paul’s composed exterior, yet she still attempted to defend the absent employee’s reputation.
“Lucia has always been punctual, discreet, and remarkably diligent, despite working longer hours than anyone else in this building,” she said carefully.
Paul shook his head, dismissing the defense with quiet finality before responding, “Professionalism demands consistency, and consistency does not collapse beneath mysterious personal circumstances that no one ever previously acknowledged.”
Moments later, Lucia’s address appeared on his screen, and Paul made a decision driven entirely by skepticism rather than empathy.