Chapter Twenty one
Lionel's POV
After I finished recounting my side of the story, Lamal leaned back on the couch, rubbing his temples as he absorbed the details. His usual calm demeanor was shaken, a clear sign that the situation was more complex than any of us had anticipated.
"Wow!" Lamal finally exclaimed, his voice tinged with concern. "This is going to be a tough one."
Rudy, who had been pacing the room, stopped in his tracks and turned to face him. "Won't be easy?" he repeated, disbelief etched on his face. I exchanged a glance with Rudy, my heart sinking. Lamal was known for his confidence, always sure of a way out of any mess. Hearing him express doubt was unsettling, to say the least.
"This doesn't sound like you, Lamal," I said, trying to mask the unease in my voice. "You've always had a plan, something foolproof. So what's the deal here? Are we screwed?"
