The office was unnervingly quiet, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Lydia stood near the door, her fingers clenching the strap of her bag, her heart pounding in her chest. Across the room, Evander leaned back in his leather chair, his posture rigid, his expression colder than ice.
Evander waved a hand dismissively toward Hugo, who stood near the door. "Make sure no one interrupts until we're done," he ordered.
Hugo hesitated, glancing at Lydia with something akin to sympathy before nodding. "Understood, sir. And good luck."
When the door clicked shut, Evander's sharp eyes locked onto Lydia. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk, his fingers steepled together. "I thought I told you not to come here anymore," he began, his voice calm but laced with irritation. "So why are you here, Lydia? What else is there to talk about?"
