Seventy-Nine

The air in the office seemed to thicken when the last of my uncle, Uncle Alex left, his departure leaving a lingering sense of unease in the room.

In the silence, Tony shifted uneasily in his seat, his eyes locked on the door through which my uncle had exited. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, suspicion evident in the furrow of his brow and the tight set of his jaw.

"Tony, is everything alright?" I inquired.

"What game are you playing here, Atlas?" Tony's words were sharp, his gaze piercing as he fixed me with a knowing look.

"It's... it's all business, Tony," I finally let out.

But Tony was not one to be easily swayed. He leaned forward, his expression intense as he pressed further, his voice low and urgent. "Atlas, I know you. I know when something is not right. Tell me the truth. What is going on?"

The silence that followed was deafening, the stillness of the office suffocating me as I struggled to find the words to convey the truth that lay heavy on my heart. And then,