"You know our institute emphasizes more on foundation." He added and this time Lana narrowed her eyes.
Understanding dawned.
This had been deliberate.
He had escalated the difficulty to embarrass her.
Lana did not confront him.
Instead, she nodded again.
"I understand."
Then she looked at him carefully and added,
"Your right cuff is misaligned. It is not properly buttoned."
The lecturer glanced down instinctively, then back at her.
"You are very observant," he said. "If I did not know better, I might think you were my admirer."
More quiet laughter followed.
But this time, Lana did not retreat.
"In our institution," she said with a small smile, "basic etiquette is emphasized above all else. That is why I tend to notice such details. When someone makes even a simple foundational mistake, it becomes quite obvious."
Her smile was bright, almost dazzling.
The lecturer fell silent.
To an outsider, her words sounded polite.
