The air inside the archive warehouse felt colder than before.
The neon lamps hanging from the ceiling flickered gently, casting pale light that made the shadows of the archive shelves look longer and darker.
Ethan stood in front of Sophia on instinct, his body slightly tense.
Daniel also shifted half a step to the side, as if trying to gauge the distance between them and the elderly man who had just emerged from behind the shelves.
Leonard Graves looked calm.
Too calm for someone who had just startled three people in a secluded place.
He stood with both hands behind his back, like an old professor assessing his students.
"Interesting," he said again softly.
His eyes shifted to the folder still in Sophia's hand.
"It's been a very long time since I last saw those documents."
Sophia stared at him with sharp eyes.
"You knew my mother."
Leonard nodded slightly.
"Dr. Elena Ward."
His voice sounded almost… respectful.
"She was a very intelligent woman."
