A cluster of comfortable seats waited there, clearly intended for guests who were meant to stay within earshot.
Heat rose in her cheeks as she realized her mistake.
Nnenna followed his gesture again, then confirmed where he had been pointing all along.
"Oh," she breathed, embarrassed at herself.
Moving quickly, she walked over to the little seating alcove and settled into a chair.
The five people in the office stared at her in varying degrees of shock.
The elders, however, remained silent. They had worked with Carl countless times and understood he never did anything without a reason. If he wanted her to stay, then that was final.
The two youths weren't as restrained. The young man's mouth tightened, and the young woman frowned outright, her polished nails drumming once against the table.
"This is a sensitive discussion, Carl," the young man finally said, voice clipped with irritation. "It isn't meant for outsiders to hear, even if she's your newly recognized sister."
