Isaac froze after Elizabeth's question, trying to think of a quick excuse, but Sven was faster. He leaned forward smoothly, his tone serious. "We've received a tip that someone's going to attack the place," he said, lowering his voice for effect. "We're going undercover - working with the Association to protect the crowd."
Elizabeth's eyes went wide. "Really?!" she gasped. "That's amazing! Good job, Isaac!"
Whether she was just unbelievably naive or simply trusted him too much, she believed every word.
Across the table, Irwin and Fletcher Sr. exchanged a knowing look and a faint smile. They weren't fools. Fletcher had already run background checks on them overnight. Between Isaac's mutant status, Sven's fighting record, and Takeshi's mysterious background, they knew one thing for sure - none of them were working for the Association.
Whatever Isaac was up to, it wasn't something they could, or should, interfere with.
