Twenty three

In a dimly lit office, elegantly furnished with opulent décor, Tristan sat behind a massive mahogany desk. The desk was a model of meticulous organization, with neatly stacked cash beside antique brass candleholders. On the wall behind him, a large framed city map adorned the room.

Draped in an impeccably tailored black suit and pants, Tristan exuded an aura of cold ruthlessness, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. His steel-gray eyes fixated on the city map as he marked out key points with a pen.

A sudden knock on the door made him look up, his gaze directed at the entrance. "Come in."

The door swung open, revealing Ethan at the threshold. For a moment, their eyes met, and Ethan's expression shifted noticeably. He appeared surprised and taken aback, though it was but a fleeting moment before he regained his composure.

"We've got an emergency," he began, approaching Tristan.

Tristan paused, returning the pen to its holder, and his fingers lightly drummed on the desk as he probed,