Back in Italy, the atmosphere within the Montgomery estate carried its usual oppressive stillness, the kind that lingered in the corridors like an unspoken warning, as Simon stepped out of the chairman's private chambers with quiet precision, closing the heavy door behind him as though sealing away whatever fragile peace remained inside.
He had barely taken a few steps when he noticed Oliver approaching from the opposite end of the hallway, his pace quick, almost eager, as though he intended to barge straight into the chairman's room without a second thought—but Simon moved before he could reach the door, his presence cutting him off with effortless authority.
