"Boss, why are you calling me this late at night? I hope nothing bad happened."
Collins's surprised voice came through the speaker, slightly muffled by what sounded like rapid keyboard typing in the background.
Axel did not answer immediately.
He rose from his chair and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside, the house was quiet. Garden lights cast soft golden pools across the land, and the full moon hung high above, watching like a silent witness. The world looked peaceful. As if danger preferred hiding in silence.
From the phone, Collins muttered, "Huh!? Did he dial my number and forget to talk?"
Axel exhaled faintly through his nose. "Looks like you're still working."
"Of course I am," Collins replied proudly. "I have many thoughts that need to be settled before you fly tomorrow."
"I won't fly tomorrow. Dylan and Archy will cover for me."
There was a brief pause. The clicking of keyboards stopped.
