Jasper's confident smile faltered for just a second. The question had clearly caught him off guard.
"Dr. Payne and I have an understanding," he recovered smoothly, adjusting his tie. "He values my judgment when it comes to assembling exceptional talent."
Lyra maintained her steady gaze. Of all the lies Jasper had told over the years, this one was particularly brazen. The irony wasn't lost on her—he was trying to leverage her own alter ego against her.
"Is that so?" she asked, her voice deceptively calm.
Before Jasper could respond, Owen stepped forward. "Regardless of your alleged connection to Dr. Payne, my team stays intact. Lyra remains with us."
To everyone's surprise, Kian moved to stand beside Lyra. "I agree. We've just discovered what she's capable of. We're not letting her go."
One by one, the other team members joined them, forming a protective circle around Lyra. Even Sara, who had been openly hostile since Lyra's arrival, stood with them.
