Still general.
Still non-specific.
But closer.
The oldest watched closely.
Derek continued.
“I’m trying to fix it.”
That introduced intent.
But not accountability.
Because “fixing” focuses on outcome.
Not responsibility.
She responded once.
“You haven’t said what you did.”
That redirected the structure.
He paused.
Longer this time.
“I pushed you out,” he said.
First specific admission.
Partial.
But real.
“I said things I shouldn’t have.”
Still incomplete.
But progressing.
The supervisor remained neutral.
No interruption.
