At that moment, when the news finished playing and the silence inside the room grew almost unbearable, the director turned slowly toward Samuel. His expression was caught somewhere between disbelief and shock.
"Tell me this is a joke," the director said, his voice tight, almost desperate. "Please tell me this is just another rumor. This isn't true, right?"
Samuel sat still in the chair, his hands resting on the armrest. His jaw was tight, eyes narrowed, but he didn't speak.
The director stepped closer, voice rising. "Samuel… don't tell me this is true. You have a wife? Children? And you've been hiding them? Neglecting them?"
Samuel's lips curved into a small, humorless laugh, but it held no joy. "Is this really what's making everyone panic?" He leaned back slightly, voice calm but edged. "It's nothing. A rumor that got blown out of proportion. Something I can take care of right away."
The director's eyebrows drew together, not convinced. "Nothing?"
