Claudia sat inside her car for several minutes before finally stepping out. The old, classically styled building stood proudly in the middle of an elite district. She knew this place very well—far too well.

She walked in without hesitation. A middle-aged man was already waiting for her in a private office, standing with his back to the door, staring at the large window.

“You’re late,” the man said without turning around.

Claudia closed the door calmly. “I had other matters to handle.”

The man turned around. His face was tense, his gaze impatient. “I’ve been waiting far too long.”

Claudia crossed her arms. “We’ve talked about this. Everything takes a...