The ring lights burned into the air with a low hum.
Warm-up drills had already begun on the tatami. Diego and Kenji moved in slow, controlled patterns around Lennox, while Malik observed the sequence from the corner.
Everything was going according to plan—or at least, it seemed that way.
Sloane stood on the sidelines, tablet in hand, her face carrying its usual concentrated sternness. Her movements were minimal: a quick note, a nod, a corrective instruction.
But now... Lennox noticed something else.
He didn't move right away. He just watched.
First, a half-whisper—Kenji, too close to Diego's ear. Then a quiet chuckle. A glance—not at Lennox, but at Sloane.
Then Malik—just a raised eyebrow and a sidelong smirk as Diego blew his nose into a towel and Sloane, back turned, jotted a note
