The phone call came just as Karvel was reviewing the final medical reports from the chameleon fungus case. Dr. Yale's name appeared on the caller ID, and Karvel answered with genuine warmth, expecting to discuss Sophia's continued recovery."Dr. Yale, good to hear from you. How is Sophia feeling today?""She's doing much better, thanks to you," Dr. Yale's voice carried an unusual tension that immediately caught Karvel's attention. "But Mr. Cross, I'm calling about a different matter. I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news."Karvel set down his medical files, sensing the gravity in the physician's tone. "What kind of news?""I regret to inform you that I can no longer continue our consulting arrangement," Dr. Yale said, his words rushed and uncomfortable. "Effective immediately, I'll need to terminate our professional relationship.""I see," Karvel replied calmly, though his mind was already analyzing the possible reasons behind this sudden reversal. "May I ask what prompted this deci

Rocco, still unaware of who he was addressing, puffed out his chest with borrowed confidence. "Listen, stranger, you better turn around and walk away before you become another victim of the beating this stuck-up bitch is about to receive.""Is that so?" Sebastian's smile widened, though his eyes remained ice-cold. "And who exactly do you think you are to be handing out beatings in public establishments?""I work for Leo Romano!" Rocco declared proudly. "That name should mean something to a smart man like you. Now get lost before I have my boys teach you some respect."Sebastian chuckled, the sound echoing off the restaurant's walls. "You know, you really should be more careful about who you talk to in that manner. Some people might take offense."Before Rocco could respond, Vivian's voice cut through the confrontation with sharp disdain. "I don't need help from another thug and criminal like you! This is exactly what this city doesn't need – more violence between gangsters!"She has n

His gaze fell on Karvel with obvious disgust and confusion. "Who the hell is this guy?" he demanded, turning to address his men. "I told you to grab the woman, not bring along some random nobody!""Boss, he was in the car with her," one of the masked thugs explained nervously. "We figured he might be important or something."Rocco studied Karvel's modest clothing and unremarkable appearance with growing irritation. "Important? Look at him! This guy looks like he shops at thrift stores and cuts his own hair!"He turned his attention to Vivian, his expression mixing lust with vindictive satisfaction. "So tell me, sweetheart, is this pathetic loser your boyfriend? Because if he is, you've got seriously bad taste in men.""Who I associate with is none of your business," Vivian replied with more courage than she felt. "Let us go right now, before you do something you'll regret for the rest of your life."Rocco burst into mocking laughter. "Regret? Lady, you're tied to a chair in an abandon

Leo Romano sat behind his imposing mahogany desk, his fingers drumming impatiently against the polished surface as Rocco continued his frantic explanation. The study's dim lighting cast shadows across Leo's face, making his expression appear more menacing than usual."Let me make sure I understand this correctly," Leo said, his voice dangerously quiet. "You're telling me that Karvel Cross single-handedly defeated ten armed men and made you run away like a scared child?""Boss, you had to see it to believe it!" Rocco insisted desperately. "The guy moved like he wasn't even human! He broke out of his restraints like they were made of tissue paper!"Leo's eyes narrowed as he studied Rocco's terrified expression. "And what exactly were you doing that required ten armed men in the first place?"Rocco shifted uncomfortably, suddenly realizing he might have revealed more than he intended. "Well, sir, I was just... handling some business that needed handling.""What kind of business?" Leo's vo

Detective Morrison sat at his computer terminal in the dimly lit private investigation office, his fingers dancing across the keyboard as he attempted to process the fingerprint samples Vivian had provided.The specialized database access he'd paid considerable money to obtain should have given him comprehensive results within minutes.Instead, his screen displayed a message that made his blood run cold: "ACCESS RESTRICTED - CLASSIFICATION LEVEL ALPHA - UNAUTHORIZED INQUIRY FLAGGED.""What the hell?" Morrison muttered, staring at the warning message that had replaced his search results. "I've never seen a restriction like this before."He tried running the prints through a different database, then another, but each attempt yielded the same ominous result. Whoever Karvel Cross really was, his identity was protected by security measures that Morrison had never encountered in fifteen years of private investigation.This guy's either in witness protection or he's someone so important that