At noon, Avery adjusted the blinds in her consultation room to a precise, subtle angle—enough to let in light, but not enough to make the space feel exposed. The slanted rays fell across the desk in neat, geometric lines, casting the rest of the room in a soft, muted shadow that made the space feel both intimate and contained.Professor Andrew arrived on time. But the moment he sank into the sofa, the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and the rigid tension in his shoulders betrayed the anxiety the renowned scholar couldn't hide. His hands were clasped tightly in his lap, the knuckles pale, and his eyes darted around the room as if searching for an exit he knew wasn't there.Avery didn't rush to speak. She moved with deliberate slowness, measuring every gesture. She brewed a cup of calming herbal tea and set it before him, the ceramic warm against her fingertips. Then she turned the room's diffuser down two notches, letting the subtle fragrance settle into something softer, less intr
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