Emma’s Silent Retreat
Emma struggled to maintain her composure. Each step she took only fueled the storm in her mind, her efforts to appear detached slowly crumbling. She began avoiding the dining area altogether, lingering near the kitchen in the vain hope that the piercing gazes would shift away. Yet, the more she retreated, the more attention she seemed to draw. “Isn’t Emma acting strange?” a guest murmured. The whispers swirled around her, but Emma paid them no mind. It was clear she was stalling, desperately searching for a way to slip from the spotlight unnoticed.
Emma’s Silent Retreat
Direct Approach
Noticing her unease, I decided it was time to talk. “Emma, can we have a word?” I asked, aiming for a casual, disarming tone. Her eyes flickered with hesitation before she gave a reluctant nod. “There’s something off with the payment patterns,” I began, keeping my voice light and steady. She shifted uncomfortably, her attempt at feigned ignorance almost instinctive. But the cracks in her composure were beginning to show.
Direct Approach
