The elevator doors slid open on the 27th floor with a soft chime. The hallway was narrow, lined with clean panels and dim strip lights that buzzed faintly. Xavier stepped out first, silent, scanning the corridor like a hunter tracing scent. Ryn followed, pulling the hood of his coat a little lower, eyes glinting beneath.
They stopped outside Apartment LE-054. Mira's parents' names were etched there in cursive. Xavier stared at it for a second, then pressed the bell and backed away into the blind corner beside the door.
A moment later, the door cracked open.
A man in his late forties leaned out, cautious, wearing a loose silk shirt and the kind of face that pretended to be tired but was just hiding comfort.
"Yes?" he asked.
Ryn smiled politely, voice calm. "Evening, sir. Quick building inspection—water pressure check. Won't take a minute."
The man blinked. "At this hour?"
Ryn shrugged. "Management orders. We're just ticking boxes. Won't bother you long."
