Chapter Twenty Three

The cold air of the warehouse seeped into Diluc’s bones as he stood facing Yvette, his heart pounding with a mixture of rage and dread. Furina, tied to a chair just a few feet away, looked at him with wide eyes, filled with a heartbreaking combination of relief and terror. He couldn’t allow any harm to come to her—no matter what he had to do.

"Yvette," Diluc called out, his voice icy and commanding.

Yvette turned slowly, a smug smile curling on her lips. Her demeanor was as confident as ever, but there was something wild in her eyes, a dangerous glint that made the situation even more volatile. "Diluc," she purred. "So glad you could join us."

His eyes remained fixed on Furina, whose chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled against her restraints. "Let her go," Diluc demanded, his tone sharp and unyielding.

Yvette's smile widened as she strolled leisurely around Furina, her fingers brushing lightly over Furina’s shoulder, making her flinch. "Not so fast. We need to have a little c