Chapter 503 One Week

As the sun dipped lower in the horizon, she found herself outside a high-end restaurant. Deciding she needed a distraction, she stepped inside and requested a table for one. She ordered a steak and a glass of wine, hoping the meal would help ground her, but before she could even take a bite, a voice from behind sent a chill down her spine. “How was last night’s performance?” Claire’s fork froze mid-air. The voice was low, smooth, and eerily amused. And though she hadn’t turned around, she already knew who it belonged to. Eligos. The hunger she had moments ago vanished instantly. She remained still, her mind racing. She could feel the presence behind her, but before she could turn around, the voice continued, lower this time. “Don’t move,” he warned, a dark chuckle escaping him. “Unless, of course, you’d like me to take over Metacortex. Or maybe Cryptonic. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?” Claire’s grip on her utensils tightened. This wasn’t just about the hotel disaster. He wa