As soon as Natalia's words settled into the air, the atmosphere in the gym shifted. Almost everyone turned to look at the old man beside her. Hearing the way he'd been introduced, he raised an eyebrow, scratched the side of his head, and let out a short laugh, like someone had told a familiar joke that wasn't actually that funny.
"Oh, come on. Don't exaggerate," he said with mild amusement. "There was a… misunderstanding."
Adam tensed instantly, sliding half a step closer to Natalia. Something openly hostile sparked in his eyes. Patrycja also looked at the old man with suspicion, then glanced at Natalia, clearly waiting for an explanation.
"A misunderstanding?" Adam repeated sharply. "She said you tried to kill her."
