In the Study
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. The furnishings were polished and immaculate, the large wooden table separating Antonio and Melody from Lucian. He felt like he was back in a job interview, with the stakes far higher than any career opportunity.
Antonio sat with his fingers interlaced, his piercing gaze fixed on Lucian. Melody, sitting beside him, offered a small, almost apologetic smile, as if trying to ease the tension.
Lucian sat rigidly, his hands clasped together, resting on his lap.
For a while, the room was silent. The ticking of a nearby clock filled the space, each second stretching longer than the last.
Finally, Antonio broke the silence. His voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of sharpness.
"What Avey said downstairs… was it true?"
Lucian knew exactly what he was referring to. His face remained neutral, but he let out a sigh before answering.
