RAYMOND'S POV

I stepped into the opulent halls of the mansion, my nerves on edge. Each step echoed through the plush carpets and gleaming marble floors, and the smell of expensive cigars grew stronger as I approached the back lounge. My mind raced with rehearsed apologies and a heavy sense of dread. I had imagined this moment countless times back at the house, crafting every word with painstaking care.

The bodyguard opened the door to the lounge, revealing a room dominated by a long, mahogany table surrounded by men engrossed in a card game. The room was dimly lit, with the smoke from the cigars swirling lazily in the air,...