Chapter 138: Uneasy Alliances

The tension in the air hung thick enough to cut with a knife as Tony approached Tiago's table. Years had passed since their last encounter, yet the animosity simmered just beneath the surface. Awkward silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the soft clinking of porcelain cups in the dimly lit tea house. Tiago, his features hardened by time and experience, offered a curt nod, his dark eyes unreadable. Tony returned the gesture, unsure how to navigate the complicated history that bound them together. Resentment flickered within Tiago, a constant reminder of past betrayals. Yet, a flicker of understanding also tugged at him, recognizing the desperation in Tony's eyes. A tall, impeccably dressed waiter materialized beside them, his gaze flickering between the two men with a hint of cautious respect. With a curt nod from Tiago, the waiter led them towards a secluded room at the back, its ornate door adorned with intricate carvings depicting snarling wolves. The heavy door sw