Lionel and I sat across from each other inside his house, the heavy scent of burning wood from the nearby fireplace filling the air. The crackling sound of the flames was the only thing breaking the silence between us. His gaze—sharp and piercing like a predator sizing up its prey—was locked on me, unblinking.
Honestly, I didn't expect him to step out and face me personally. Lionel wasn't the kind of man to leave his comfort unless it was for something serious. The fact that he came out of his home just to see me… yeah, that already said a lot.
"You must be confused, Leon—and understandably so," Lionel finally said, his tone low but commanding. "I came out of my house personally to get you. Or maybe," his lips curled slightly, "you already have an idea why I did that, huh? You're not that dumb."
His voice carried weight, like each word was meant to crush hesitation.
