After finishing his lunch, Adonis left the cafeteria and made his way to Wolf & Co. headquarters, a looming building of stone and steel nestled within the bustling heart of the city. The architectural design was a blend of steampunk ingenuity and modern elegance—mechanized gears whirred silently within the walls, and smoke-belching chimneys crowned the roof, signaling the productivity within.
As Adonis approached the entrance, he reached into his coat and pulled out the ID card he had received from the City Council. Flashing it to the receptionist, a young woman with tired eyes behind round spectacles, he was asked to wait while Burban Wolf finished his current meeting.
The lobby was surprisingly lavish. A ticking array of wall clocks—each more ornate than the last—adorned the walls, reminding Adonis of the wealth and influence that Wolf & Co. had amassed through their intricate craftsmanship. As minutes stretched on, Adonis' mind raced through the contents of the file. He needed to get Burban to slip up, reveal something—anything—that could lead to the incriminating evidence the Council sought.
Eventually, the receptionist called him forward. "Mr. Wolf will see you now."
Adonis was led through a series of grand hallways to Burban Wolf's office. The door creaked open, revealing the man himself—a tall figure with graying hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and eyes that glittered with the sharpness of someone who had seen too much of the world's shadows. He rose from behind his mahogany desk and extended a hand.
"Adonis," Burban greeted with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "To what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from the City Council?"
Adonis returned the handshake, his own smile mirroring Wolf's feigned politeness. "Mr. Wolf, thank you for meeting with me. The Council has sent me to ask about your company's operations. There have been some... inquiries. You understand."
Wolf's smile faltered ever so slightly before he motioned for Adonis to take a seat. "Of course. Inquiries are routine in our line of work. I'm more than happy to assist. What exactly are the concerns?"
Adonis leaned back slightly, his expression calm but probing. "There have been some discrepancies in financial records—nothing major yet, but enough to warrant a closer look. We also have reason to believe your company might be involved in... additional ventures beyond wall clocks."
Burban chuckled, but there was an edge of wariness beneath it. "We specialize in high-quality timepieces, Mr. Adonis. That's all. As for finances, we're a growing company—fluctuations are expected. We're expanding faster than ever."
Adonis nodded, feigning understanding. "Of course. Growth can often obscure things. But the Council is tasked with ensuring everything stays transparent."
For the next half hour, they danced through pleasantries and evasive conversation. Burban gave little away, sticking to vague reassurances and deflecting any pointed questions Adonis tried to raise. Wolf was careful, too careful, and Adonis realized he wouldn't get much more in this direct conversation.
Once they wrapped up, Adonis rose from his chair. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Wolf. The Council will be watching your progress closely." He gave another polite smile, then exited the office.
---
Adonis spent the rest of the afternoon speaking with employees and staff at Wolf & Co., using his Council credentials to ask questions and observe the operations more closely. It quickly became apparent that the company ran on more than just clockwork. The workers were unusually tight-lipped, and there was a distinct sense of tension in the air.
It wasn't long before he stumbled upon an interesting connection. After chatting with a group of lower-level employees, he learned that Wolf & Co. had a close partnership with a newspaper company, The Elysian Gazette, one of the more influential publications in the city. The relationship between a clock-making firm and a newspaper struck Adonis as odd—there was no clear reason for the two businesses to be so deeply entangled.
Piecing together the information he had gathered, Adonis began to suspect that the partnership between Wolf & Co. and The Elysian Gazette was more than it appeared. Perhaps Burban Wolf was using the Gazette to launder money or manipulate public opinion, both methods being ideal for someone with secretive intentions. It was the perfect cover—a prestigious newspaper company hiding illegal activities in plain sight.
Adonis took a moment to think it over. The potential here was enormous. If Wolf was indeed using the newspaper to cover up his illicit dealings, Adonis could exploit this partnership to bring the entire scheme into the light. But he had to act carefully—Burban Wolf was no fool, and moving too quickly would likely tip him off.
As he left the building, the gears in his mind were already turning. He would gather more intel, perhaps even pay a visit to The Elysian Gazette under the guise of an interested party. There was much to do, and time was short. The Council would expect results soon, and Adonis knew that if he played this right, he could not only expose Burban Wolf but also secure a better position for himself within the Council.
His plan was simple: manipulate a few key events, gather damning evidence, and wrap up this investigation before the month ended. But first, he needed to put the wheels in motion, and for that, he would need to dig deeper into The Elysian Gazette.
With a sense of quiet determination, Adonis strode through the city streets, the weight of his new mission pressing down on him. The threads of fate were once again in his hands, and he was ready to pull them taut.