A calm, unfamiliar voice cut through the tension.
“With all your qualifications, there are still protocols your certificates can’t break. And you will be punished in ways you can’t imagine at the end.”
The words came from nowhere, yet they stopped the lobby cold.
Heads turned almost in unison.
Dante stood just behind Emilia, his presence quiet but commanding. He was dressed simply, nothing flashy, yet the air around him changed the moment he stepped forward. He looked at the gathering with calm eyes, then rested his gaze on Emilia.
“So my wife came here,” he continued evenly. “And somehow, instead of answers, she’s being humiliated.”
Emilia turned sharply. “Dante? Why are you here?”
“I came to check on you,” he said, softly enough that only she heard.
Diah scoffed.
“Did he just in
