Julian narrowed his eyes, keeping his stance firm as the man across the room spoke. The silence between them was thick, tense, until Julian broke it first.
"Nice to meet you too," he said coldly. "I'm Julian Deaw. So… shall we get started?"
Vexmond Krüger let out a tired breath, leaning back in his chair as if this entire confrontation was more exhausting than dangerous. His tone shifted, calm, almost weary.
"Are you still not satisfied?"
Julian frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Vexmond looked him straight in the eyes, then gestured faintly toward the broken body of Alex on the floor.
"The crow I sent to watch you... it wasn't to find a weakness. I wasn't trying to kill you. I only wanted to observe you, see if you were the kind of man who would still be driven by the ghosts of his past."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"Alex... I sent him to you not as a threat, but as an offering. A way to give you closure. His life, for the sins he committed."
