Kiara's mind raced, the implications of Ruddy's taunts gnawing at her. "What do you mean, 'nothing is ever as it seems'?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "What's he talking about?"
Mike glanced around the room, ensuring they were out of earshot of curious onlookers. The once-bustling hotel lobby now felt like a pressure cooker, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. "Ruddy loves to play games," he said, frustration lacing his tone. "He thrives on chaos. He's not just my half-brother; he's a loose cannon. If he's here, it means he's up to something."
Kiara crossed her arms, feeling a surge of protective instinct for Mike. "What do you think he'll do?"
"He'll try to undermine me, to expose any weakness he can find. He wants control of this empire, and if he thinks he can shake me, he will." Mike's jaw tightened, his cold demeanor flickering with something more vulnerable.
