“Yes, a success it was,” Tina said, nodding with satisfaction. She then scanned the room, her sharp eyes landing on each member of my team. “But where is she? I haven’t seen her, and I was expecting that she would be here.”
Her words caught me off guard. I coughed lightly, trying to buy myself a moment to compose my response. I hadn’t anticipated Tina bringing up Mina during this meeting—it wasn’t something I had prepared to address.
Without thinking, my eyes flicked toward Eric. His tightened jaw and the rigid set of his shoulders made it clear he wasn’t pleased with the turn in conversation either.
“She’s actually... she’s not around,” I said carefully. “She won't be able to join us.”
Tina frowned, clearly disappointed. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” she replied. “When you gave this p
