Entangled Ambitions

The basement was heavy with silence as the man studied the coldness in Noah's eyes, and he pleaded with him, his voice choked with emotion. "Please, I swear I'm not a threat to you or your family. If you untie my hands, I can prove it. I need to make a call. Give me back my phone, and I'll confirm everything I said."

Stepping forward, Ross, his suspicion evident, intervened. "We can't risk it, Noah. Giving him his phone could be a mistake. He might tip off whoever sent him or worse, the authorities."

As their eyes remained locked, Noah remained composed, contemplating the situation, and he commanded, "If he tries anything, you both have my permission to act. Knock him out immediately. But I need to see if he's telling the truth."

After a brief pause, Steve and Ross reluctantly agreed, understanding the necessity of verifying the man's claims. They cautiously untied his hands, keeping a close watch on his every move. The man, visibly relieved, retrieved his phone from his pocket and di