Claudia’s Point of View
I sat at the edge of the plush leather sofa, sipping on a steaming cup of tea while my mind raced. Vincent was pacing the room, his face tense, his jaw clenched. The late afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating his brooding figure. He had always been impulsive, but today, he seemed unusually restless.
“What’s the matter with you?” I asked, setting my cup down and raising an eyebrow at him.
He stopped mid-stride and turned to face me, his lips curling into a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “I heard Matteo Ricci is in town.”
I froze for a moment, my fingers tightening around the armrest of the sofa. “Matteo Ricci? Are you certain?”
He nodded, his tone dripping with confidence. “I am. And I think it’s time I met with him.”
