A moment of awkward silence quickly descended on everyone's shoulders, except for Atlas. He didn't take William's hand, knowing that something as small as a handshake could be twisted into a narrative.
"Take it away," Atlas added, referring to the hand offered to him. "Don't extend your hand like that so casually. It carries a lot of meaning, so be careful; one might misunderstand. Frankly, I also find it rude."
Rude? Everyone gasped for the second time. Not taking the kind hand offered to him was more rude, though!
William's under-eyes twitched as he pulled his hand back, his fingers trembling slightly. Part of him wanted to believe he hadn't just heard such audacious remarks right on his face. But alas, seeing the mortified and displeased reactions from the other members of the board, he knew he hadn't imagined it.
Atlas had said what he'd said.
