Eileen’s POV

The silence after the call lingered.

Heavy.Unsettling.

I stood still, my phone still in my hand, the screen long gone dark. For a moment, the world outside the studio seemed to disappear completely, as if everything had narrowed down to that one voice echoing in my mind.

“Next time… it won’t just be rumors.”

A threat.Clear.Direct.And calculated.

Adrian was already watching me.Closely.

Every subtle change in my expression didn’t escape him.

“Say it again.”

His voice was low, controlled.

I didn’t look at him immediately.

“The voice was distorted,” I said calmly. “Couldn’t identify anything specific.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I finally met his gaze.

He wasn’t...