Chapter 17: The Cost of It All
The sun was barely up when Alex arrived at Raymond's place. The Gatehouse stood quiet at the city's edge, like a man who had seen too much and learned to say too little. Alex had never quite gotten used to how peaceful it was here like time slowed down around Raymond.
He knocked once. The door opened almost immediately. Raymond didn't smile, but his eyes lit up the way only someone who liked your company but wouldn't admit it could.
"You're early," he said, stepping aside.
"You said come before nine," Alex replied.
"That was just to test your discipline." Raymond shut the door behind them. "Most people show up at ten and call it nine."
Alex smiled faintly. "So did I pass?"
Raymond gave a short nod. "We'll see."
They walked through the hallway into the study. It wasn't like any classroom Alex had known. There were no desks, no whiteboards. Just deep leather chairs, shelves of old books, a vintage globe in the corner, and the smell of roasted coffee and aged paper.
Raymond motioned for Alex to sit, then poured two glasses of water.
"Today's lesson," he began, "is not about markets or people... It's about power. But not the kind that comes with guns or titles. The kind that moves the world in silence, money."
Alex leaned in slightly.