The silence that followed Mason’s proposition was thick, so thick it felt like it might suffocate the very air in the room.
Aria and Mason sat across from each other, locked in a silent, unblinking stare.
Alisher shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He glanced between the two, feeling the pressure build in his chest.
With a discreet but deliberate clearing of his throat, Alisher finally spoke, trying to defuse the mounting tension. “If staying near the Chairman is what’s best for your safety and for Nina’s well-being, then perhaps it’s something worth considering. What do you think, Aria?”
The words had barely left his mouth when Aria responded with unwavering determinat
“We dug into the driver’s background,” Mason said, his voice low and controlled as he handed Aria a thick file. “He wasn’t the regular operator of that truck. The actual driver called in sick. Stomach pain, severe diarrhea, something sudden. But the delivery was urgent, so the company brought in a replacement... last-minute.”Aria opened the file, scanning through the details with growing unease. Her eyes stopped on a familiar address. “The delivery was for one of the projects I was handling… in Crimson Claw territory,” she muttered. Her heart started to race. “And this man, he’s not part of any pack. He... He's pure human. Where is he now?”Mason’s expression darkened. “Yes, you are right. He is human. He posted bail. Since then… he’s d
“Aria, if we were planning something shady, do you really think we’d answer your question so casually?” Mason said, raising an eyebrow with just a hint of a smirk.“I don’t know,” Aria replied, eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. “Stranger things have happened. I’m just covering all my bases. Can’t be too careful.”Mason let out a short breath that was almost a chuckle. “Relax. I wouldn’t dare lay a finger on my daughter’s current favorite person,” he said, then tilted his head toward the entrance. “Now go on in.”With a cautious nod, Aria stepped through the hidden passage with Cecil close behind. The hallway they entered was long, sleek, and silent, like something out of a spy thriller, each step echoing with tension. The farther they walked, the more Aria
Alisher walked with Aria and Mason down the dimly lit corridor that led to the basement parking.When the heavy metal doors slid open, Julian, Cecil, and Nina were already there, waiting, exactly as Mason had instructed through their mindlink.“This is as far as I go,” Alisher said, stopping at the edge of the parking area. He handed Aria a small folded paper. “That’s my private emergency line. Save it, memorize it, and then burn it. No digital trail. No risks.”Aria gave him a grateful nod. “Thank you. I’ll just save it now—”She reached for her phone, but before her fingers could even unlock the screen, Mason snatched it from her grip. Without blinking, h
“As far as I remember,” Mason finally spoke, his voice low and deliberate, cutting through the silence like a blade, “a safe house can either be selected from your firm’s existing properties… or be determined spontaneously, based on the urgency of the situation, correct?”Alisher’s brow furrowed instantly. He knew that tone, knew the direction this was heading all too well. “That’s true,” he replied cautiously.“In high-risk cases, we sometimes embed witnesses in a pre-established family residence. It makes it harder to trace them, blending into the routine of a normal, active household.”Mason gave a single nod, like a king delivering a final verdict. “Perfect. Then it’s decided. I&rs
The silence that followed Mason’s proposition was thick, so thick it felt like it might suffocate the very air in the room.Aria and Mason sat across from each other, locked in a silent, unblinking stare.Alisher shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He glanced between the two, feeling the pressure build in his chest.With a discreet but deliberate clearing of his throat, Alisher finally spoke, trying to defuse the mounting tension. “If staying near the Chairman is what’s best for your safety and for Nina’s well-being, then perhaps it’s something worth considering. What do you think, Aria?”The words had barely left his mouth when Aria responded with unwavering determinat
Everyone in the room shot to their feet the moment the unexpected guest stepped in.Alisher and Leo immediately dipped their heads in a respectful bow.“We weren’t expecting your presence today, Chairman,” Alisher said smoothly, masking his unease with practiced diplomacy. “Had I known, your favorite drink would’ve been waiting.” He motioned to the nearest chair with a polite sweep of his hand. “Please, have a seat.”Mason Larkin didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. His mere presence filled the room with a commanding silence that felt almost oppressive. His sharp eyes scanned the room with quiet calculation, landing briefly and intently on Aria.Aria lowered he