Throughout the rest of the conversation, Frank tried several times to directly address Charles, offering soft explanations and looking for an opening to smooth things over, but Charles deliberately kept his answers short, cold, and entirely surface-level, continuing to freeze him out.
Sensing that the atmosphere had soured beyond repair for the day, Charles was the first to speak up. "Alright, guys, I actually have to step away and take care of something. Talk to you later."
Before anyone else could say another word, Charles disconnected, leaving just Frank and Adrian on the screen.
The silence that followed was heavy. Frank stared at his phone, looking thoroughly defeated.
