Chapter 5

• The vehicle glided to a halt in front of the grand, monolithic entrance. Joaquin stepped out first, the cool night air instantly rushing into the cabin. Two broad-shouldered bodyguards clad in dark, tailored suits immediately materialized from the deep shadows of the portico, standing at rigid attention. A tall, middle-aged butler with a perfectly neutral, unreadable expression stepped forward and bowed with practiced elegance.
• “Welcome back, Sir,” the butler said smoothly, his voice devoid of any surprise.
• Then, an older woman stepped out from the massive double doors of the main entryway. She appeared to be in her mid-to-late 40s, her silver-streaked hair tied back into a neat, professional bun. She wore a simple, pristine black uniform, and though her posture was formal, her eyes were kind—yet distinctly tired, carrying the weight of a woman who had seen too much. She looked at me with a quiet, lingering curiosity, but her lips remained sealed.