CHAPTER 93: BIAS

Lauretta narrowed her eyes as she looked around the noisy crowd. She spotted George chatting with Denis, with a big grin on his face. Lauretta's eyes showed a mix of amusement and suspicion. "Hey, Juliana," Lauretta said quietly over the party noise, "do you see George Lawson by the punch bowl? He's got that laugh that's like bubbly overflowing." Juliana followed Lauretta's finger, looking a bit puzzled. "Yeah, I see him. What's up?" "That's where the action is," Lauretta said, tapping Juliana's arm. "Denis and George, deep in chat. Makes you wonder, right?" Juliana tilted her head, now curious. "Hmm, I didn't notice. They look pretty comfortable like old pals catching up." "Comfortable?" Lauretta scoffed. "They're like long-lost buddies reconnecting. This isn't some random meeting, Juliana. There's some history there." Lauretta's expression changed as she realized something. "Denis's big comeback," she said, understanding dawning on her face, "might be more than just about getti