Two men whispered near the bar.
Whispering Guy #1: “This has to be a PR move.”
Whispering Guy #2: “Or a humiliation thing.”
Julian heard them. He didn’t flinch. He angled the tray toward them.
Julian: “Champagne?”
They went silent.
Whispering Guy #1: “No, thank you.”
Julian nodded and moved on.
When he returned to Mina, the room felt recalibrated.
Julian: “Here.”
