The room remained silent after Hayes lowered his phone.
Nobody reached for the photograph lying on the table. Nobody looked away from it either.
Five young men. Five dreamers. Five promises.
Now one of them had vanished.
Sebastian slowly straightened.
"Who reported Elias missing?" Hayes glanced at the message again.
"His personal security detail."
"They lost contact with him approximately forty minutes ago."
"His convoy never reached his residence."
Magnus immediately stood.
"Kidnapping?" Hayes didn't answer.
He didn't have to.
The possibility hung heavily over the room.
Dorian remained seated.
His face showed neither panic nor surprise.
Only sadness.
"I warned him." Everyone turned toward him.
"He knew this day might come."
Sebastian frowned.
"You expected someone to come after Elias?"
Dorian nodded slowly.
"Not because of what he knows today."
He looked toward the faded photograph.
"But because of what he knew thirty years ago."
