The silence in the conference room was absolute.
Arthur said mildly, "Ms. Sullivan, you're the core model lead. Surely this isn't a difficult question."
Sophie's hands pressed together in her lap. "The specific figures... I'd need to verify those."
One of the investor representatives, Neil Holt, leafed through his papers and spoke up. "Mr. Grant, your funding materials state that the core model was developed under Sophie Sullivan's leadership. She doesn't appear to have a working knowledge of the model."
The words landed. Jason's expression changed.
He managed a strained smile. "Sophie only just stepped into the project manager role. Some of the details are still being handed over."
"Then who was the original lead?" Neil asked.
A beat of silence. The room's attention drifted slowly,
