"Thank you for your precious time, Mr. Hart," the man in the black suit said, his handsome, rugged features softened by a hint of courtesy. His eyes, a deep, piercing brown, locked onto Mr. Hart's as he spoke.
Mr. Hart's response was a warm, practiced smile. "It's my pleasure."
The man in the black suit gestured discreetly to someone behind him. A second man, equally impeccably dressed, stepped forward and produced a sleek, black suitcase. With a swift, economical motion, he opened the case, revealing its contents.
Mr. Hart's smile widened, his eyes lighting up with interest. The man in the black suit nodded, a small, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
As they emerged from the hotel, a middle-aged man, who had been waiting by the car, stepped forward and greeted them with a nod. He leaned in close to Xander and whispered something in his ear, causing Xander's expression to darken instantly. His eyebrows furrowed, and his jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his face becoming an unreadable mask.
Without a word, Xander slid into the backseat of the car, his movements fluid and deliberate. The middle-aged man took his place behind the wheel, adjusting his rearview mirror before turning to Xander with a questioning gaze.
"Xander, where should I head now?" he asked, his tone neutral.
Xander's response was delayed, as if he were collecting his thoughts. Finally, he spoke in a low, even tone, "To Mr. Albert's residence."
As the car glided smoothly through the streets, Xander was engrossed in his iPad, his fingers flying across the screen with a quiet intensity. The soft hum of the engine and the gentle sway of the vehicle had almost lulled him into a state of relaxation.
But without warning, the driver slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt. Xander's head jerked up, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. "What's wrong?" he asked, his tone crisp.
The middle-aged driver turned to him, a hint of hesitation in his voice. "Is that Miss Luna?" he asked, his eyes flicking towards the sidewalk.
Xander's gaze followed the driver's, and his eyes rolled in exasperation. On the sidewalk, a young woman with long, flowing hair was locked in a heated argument with a middle-aged man outside a local shop. Her hands gestured wildly as she spoke, her face flushed with emotion.
Xander's eyes lingered on the scene for a moment before he sighed and rubbed his temples. This was not what he needed right now.
As Xander stepped out of the car, his dark gaze swept across the scene unfolding before him. The driver followed closely, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a mixture of curiosity and caution. The commotion had drawn a small crowd of onlookers, their faces a blur of curiosity and concern.
The lady, her long hair whipping around her face, was oblivious to Xander's approach. But a middle-aged woman with a bruise on her cheek noticed him, her eyes darting nervously to his face. She reached out, grasping the lady's arm, and spoke in a low, urgent tone.
"Miss!" she said, but the lady shook her off, too caught up in her argument.
The middle-aged woman tried again, her voice rising. "Miss, please—"
But before she could finish, Xander's deep voice cut through the commotion, his tone authoritative and commanding.
"What is happening here?" he asked, his eyes locked intently on the lady.
She paused, her mouth snapping shut as she slowly turned to face Xander. Her expression was a mixture of displeasure and wariness, her eyes narrowing as she took in his imposing presence. The man who had been arguing with her also fell silent, his eyes darting to Xander's face before dropping to the ground.
Xander's gaze never wavered, his eyes boring into the lady's as he repeated his question. "What is going on?"
The lady's response was a deep sigh, her shoulders sagging in frustration. She turned to the man she had been arguing with, her eyes flashing with anger.
"I warn you, Caleb," she said, her voice low and menacing. "Don't you dare hit Salim again."
Caleb nodded, his eyes fixed on Salim with a mixture of guilt and resentment. He remained silent, his jaw clenched in a tight line.
The lady's gaze snapped back to Caleb, her eyes blazing with intensity. "Don't you hear what I said? I will call the police next time."
The driver, sensing Xander's growing impatience, stepped forward, his voice smooth and conciliatory. "Miss Luna, what's going on?"
But before Luna could respond, Salim spoke up, her voice hesitant. "Nothing, it's just...I had a fight with my husband. Miss Luna was just helping me."
Luna's gaze turned to Salim, her expression softening. "Don't worry, Salim..." she began, but her words trailed off as Xander's hand closed around her arm like a vice.
Luna's eyes dropped to her arm, her gaze narrowing as she took in the sight of Xander's fingers wrapped around her wrist. She raised her head, her eyes flashing with indignation.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice icy.
Xander's voice cracked through the air like a whip, his words laced with disdain. "Don't you have any respect for yourself in the middle of the street?"
Luna's eyes flashed with defiance, her voice steady despite the tension. "I know Mr. Xander. You don't have to teach me."
But Xander's grip on her wrist only tightened, his fingers digging deep into her skin. Luna's eyes widened in pain as she tried to break free, but Xander's hold was unyielding. With a dark expression, he pulled her forcibly towards the car, Luna's anger turning to indignation.
He opened the door and practically pushed her inside, following close behind. The driver, sensing the tension, quickly got into the driver's seat and started the engine, his eyes darting nervously to the rearview mirror.
As the car pulled away from the curb, the atmosphere inside became increasingly icy. Luna refused to look at Xander, her gaze fixed on some point outside the window, her jaw clenched in anger. Xander, meanwhile, sat silently, his eyes fixed on some point in front of him, his expression unreadable.
The driver, familiar with the tense silences that often accompanied Xander's interactions, focused on the road ahead, his eyes darting occasionally to the rearview mirror. He knew better than to try to break the silence, instead letting the icy atmosphere hang in the air like a challenge, suffocating him with its weight.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of Mr. Albert's residence, a grand estate that exuded luxury and refinement. Luna, still visibly upset, opened the door herself and was about to step out when her phone rang, shrill and insistent. She hesitated for a moment, then answered the call, her voice low and guarded. Xander, meanwhile, didn't even glance in her direction. The driver opened the door for him, and he stepped out, his long strides carrying him swiftly towards the entrance of the residence.