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Chapter 16

Author: Adam Carlos
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-03 06:00:06

It was the second night at the Tower.

Masahiro adjusted his tie, taut against his neck, as he oversaw the crowd, his eyes narrowing to calculated precision. An act, a glance-they were all carefully measured, as though the weight of their investigation weighed upon every step he made.

Beside him, Matthew strolled with his usual careless confidence, hands casually tucked into his pockets as though the bar were his personal domain. Masahiro couldn't help the slight clench in his jaw as Matthew's nonchalance grated against his carefully honed focus.

"Relax, Detective," Matthew teased, flashing that signature smirk, the one that never failed to irk him. "You look like you’re about to shut the place down."

Masahiro shot him a quick glance, his tone terse. "Stay focused. We’re not here to make friends."

Matthew laughed, the sound light and carefree, but with a glint of something more dangerous beneath it. "I’m focused. Don’t worry about me."

Inside, the bar had lost none of its usual chaos.
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