Chapter 41 – Choices and Consequences (Part 1)
Chapter 41 – Choices and Consequences (Part 1)
"Now, what do we have here?"
Emilio’s voice slithered through the air like a snake awakening from slumber. Zane’s eyes flicked open as the familiar, mocking tone reached his ears. Emilio strode forward with his usual nauseating grin stretching across his face.
"My dear friend Zane got accepted? What a day to be alive!" he jeered, spreading his arms as if embracing a long-lost companion. "I never thought I’d see you again. Guess fate has a twisted sense of humor, huh?"
He stopped just in front of Zane, his eyes narrowing into slits of malice. Leaning in, he dropped his voice to a whisper.
"Get the hell out of here, you rotten bastard. Did the delegation make a mistake and send someone’s invitation to the wrong person?"
Zane didn’t flinch. His expression remained unreadable, calm as still water—composed not out of peace, but discipline. Emilio was baiting him, poking at the old wound between them. But Zane wouldn’t bite.
’Acting out here would only sabotage my chances. Stay composed.’
With a cool gaze, he finally replied, "Funny... I could say the same. Never expected you to be accepted. I guess intelligence wasn’t one of the requirements."
The air between them tensed like a wire pulled taut. Emilio’s smile twitched as if it might snap.
"You think you’re clever, don’t you?" he spat.