The afternoon sky was gray when Ethan's long black car entered the old elite district on the city's edge.
Not a new area with glass buildings and modern lights.
This was old territory. Quiet. Expensive. Guarded.
The houses did not flaunt luxury vulgarly. But every iron gate, every neat garden, every uniformed guard sent one message: old power lives here.
Vivian sat beside Ethan.
"Are you sure you want to come alone?" she asked.
Ethan stared straight ahead.
"He called for me."
"And you came right away."
Ethan smiled slightly. "Because I also want to know… why he's suddenly interested."
The large gate opened slowly.
The car drove in.
At the end of the cobblestone road, a classic mansion stood firm. No name plate. No company logo.
Only silence.
Marcus Sterling waited in the spacious, warm living room.
Dark wood walls. Tall bookshelves filled with old documents. The scent of bitter coffee filled the air.
He did not stand when Ethan entered.
He only watched.
