"I can join…" Max said slowly, the words falling from his lips like cautious drops of water into a deep, dark well. He hesitated for a heartbeat, the silence thick between him and President William. Then, he exhaled, his voice carrying a weight that spoke volumes. "But I have made some strong enemies you might not like facing."
President William didn't even blink, his expression utterly calm, the serene poise of a mountain unshaken by a mere breeze. "Enemies?" he repeated, his voice steady as polished steel, neither dismissive nor alarmed. "What enemies could possibly cause the Hunter Association to hesitate?" His gaze drilled into Max, those pale eyes glimmering with a cold wisdom that had seen countless storms and emerged unbowed.
