"You were right, Mr. Vance," Rony muttered, turning toward the door. "She was just a weak girl who couldn't survive her environment. I apologize for wasting Vanguard's time."
"Vanguard appreciates your diligence, Agent," Arthur replied smoothly. "Have a safe drive back to the bureau."
The heavy mahogany doors clicked shut behind the federal agent.
The moment Rony's footsteps faded down the hall, the intense, suffocating pressure in the room vanished. Veer let out a low, rumbling chuckle, unbuttoning his suit jacket and rolling his shoulders.
Arthur adjusted his glasses, looking up at the security camera nestled in the corner of the ceiling.
"Checkmate, Boss," Arthur said quietly to the empty room.
Up in her office, Kaya turned off the live feed. She leaned back in her plush leather chair, feeling a massive, invisible weight lift off her shoulders.
