For a moment, no one spoke. Even Lisa, who stood quietly by the door, widened her eyes in disbelief at Oliver's words this wasn't the Oliver she knew. She knew he wasn't asking out of weakness, Oliver Zakaria never begged for favors. He was a man who left no loose ends, who preferred to pay debts in full so no one could ever claim leverage over him. It was the way of the Little Demon: ruthless, precise, and always two steps ahead.
But Lisa's uncle… he wasn't prepared for this, his eyes widened as if Oliver's question had physically struck him. His hands shot up in protest, shaking his head so fast it almost looked frantic.
"No—no, no, no!" he stammered, his voice cracking with urgency. "That is not it! You misunderstand me!"
