"Nice to meet you, Aric," Stella said with a warm, genuine smile, extending her hand. Her eyes sparkled with an inviting kindness.
Aric shook her hand, but unease gnawed at his insides. He sensed that this encounter held more weight than mere pleasantries. There had to be a hidden agenda.
"Let's move to one of the special rooms," Stella suggested. "There are a few questions I need to ask you, Aric."
"Why? Did Aric do something wrong?" Clara's voice trembled slightly with anxiety. If the Republic threatened Aric, she was prepared to appeal to Yara to protect him.
"Calm down, Clara," Stella said with a reassuring laugh. "We know Aric isn't behind the earlier attack. It's just..."
"Just what?" Clara pressed, still wary.
Stella's smile remained sweet and unthreatening, yet a hint of seriousness crept into her expression. "We need any information Aric might have that could lead us to the enemies who orchestrated the attack."
