Chapter 18- The Quiet Connection
1141 Words
Veyr Group
Rain tapped steadily against the enormous windows of Zavian Veyr's office, casting the city beyond them into a blur of silver lights and shadows.
The office was silent.
Zavian sat behind his desk, reviewing a document with his usual unreadable expression.
His phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Dr. Reed.
Zavian answered.
“Reed.”
The voice on the other end sounded unusually serious.
“Mr. Veyr, I'm afraid I have some concerning news regarding the old Mrs. Veyr.”
Zavian's eyes remained on the document.
“What happened?”
“Her condition has deteriorated.”
His fingers stopped turning the page.
“How much?”
“Her current treatment is maintaining her condition, but we need another option.”
Dr. Reed paused.
“There is a medicine that could potentially make a significant difference in her recovery.”
Zavian's gaze lifted from the document.
“Then acquire it.”
“That is the problem.”
Another pause.
“The medicine isn't currently available through legitimate channels. We've received information that a supply is going to be sold through an international black-market auction.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Dr. Reed continued carefully.
“If we could obtain it, it could give us another possibility for her treatment.”
Zavian's expression remained cold and controlled.
“When?”
“Very soon.”
“Send me everything you have.”
“I will.”
Zavian's voice was quiet.
“Anything else?”
“No.”
The call ended.
For several seconds, Zavian remained completely still.
Then he placed the phone beside him and returned his attention to the documents.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
Lucian entered with a tablet in hand.
“Sir.”
Zavian looked up.
“Report.”
Lucian immediately began going through the day's business matters.
“The European division has finalized the revised projections. The Westbridge cooperation agreement has also moved into implementation. Legal has completed the preliminary review, and finance is waiting for the final signatures.”
Zavian listened without interruption.
Lucian continued.
“There is also some unusual news circulating throughout the city.”
Zavian's gaze remained on him.
Lucian hesitated.
“Reports concerning the Wraith.”
Nothing.
Not even the slightest change in Zavian's expression.
Lucian waited.
Zavian simply turned another page.
“Continue.”
Lucian understood.
He continued with the remaining business matters.
Minutes passed.
The report eventually came to an end.
Lucian closed his tablet.
“That concludes everything.”
Zavian nodded.
Lucian turned toward the door.
“Lucian.”
He stopped.
“Yes, sir?”
Zavian's eyes remained on the documents.
“Find out everything you can about Elsie Ashford's grandmother.”
Lucian blinked.
“Her grandmother?”
“Yes.”
“Is there a particular reason—”
“Background. History. Connections. Anything relevant.”
His voice remained calm.
But the finality of it stopped the question before it could continue.
Lucian straightened.
“Understood.”
He left.
The door closed.
Zavian remained alone.
Outside, the rain continued to fall over Newhaven.
Westbridge International
The atmosphere at Westbridge International was considerably less intimidating.
Mostly because Elsie was there.
“I am telling you,” Daniel said, leaning against the edge of a desk, “the reports are real.”
Elsie looked up from the papers she was organizing.
“Reports about what?”
Nora turned toward her.
“You haven't heard?”
“Heard what?”
Clara lowered her voice dramatically.
“The Wraith.”
Elsie blinked.
“The... what?”
Daniel stared at her.
“You seriously don't know?”
Elsie shook her head.
“No.”
Three faces stared at her.
Elsie looked between them.
“What?”
Nora leaned closer.
“The Wraith.”
Elsie frowned.
“Is that a person?”
Daniel looked personally offended.
“Is that a person?”
“Yes.”
Clara lowered her voice.
“Elsie, people are saying he's in Newhaven.”
Elsie's eyebrows rose.
“Why?”
“Because of what happened at that warehouse.”
Daniel quickly explained.
“They found several dead men there yesterday. Apparently, they were connected to some mercenary organization.”
Elsie's expression became curious.
“And everyone thinks the Wraith did it?”
“Everyone.”
“Why?”
“Because apparently he destroyed the organization before.”
Elsie stared at him.
“Apparently?”
Daniel nodded solemnly.
“Apparently.”
Clara joined in.
“They say he's been around for years.”
Nora added, “People say he appears from nowhere.”
Daniel continued, “They say he's practically impossible to track.”
Clara lowered her voice even further.
“And some people say he has never left anyone who saw him alive.”
Elsie's eyes widened.
“That sounds extremely inconvenient.”
Everyone stared at her.
Elsie shrugged.
“What? If someone is going to tell a scary story, at least give the witnesses a chance to contribute.”
Daniel laughed.
“That's your response?”
“Yes.”
Clara shook her head.
“You don't believe the stories?”
Elsie folded her arms.
“I believe there might be a dangerous person somewhere. I don't believe half the dramatic things people say about him.”
Daniel crossed his arms.
“Such as?”
Elsie began counting on her fingers.
“Appearing from shadows.”
“One.”
“Vanishing without a trace.”
“Two.”
“Having eyes that supposedly freeze people.”
“Three.”
“Being able to destroy an entire organization alone.”
Daniel stared at her.
“That's four.”
Elsie nodded.
“Exactly.”
Clara smiled.
“You sound like you're defending him.”
Elsie's head snapped up.
“I'm not defending him!”
She stood too quickly.
Her chair rolled backward.
Elsie reached for it.
Missed.
The chair continued rolling.
She stumbled after it.
Daniel caught it just before it collided with another desk.
The entire department burst into laughter.
Elsie straightened herself with as much dignity as she could gather.
“I meant intellectually.”
Daniel handed her the chair.
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
She sat down carefully.
Nora grinned.
“So you don't believe the Wraith is some terrifying shadow monster?”
Elsie picked up her pen.
“No.”
She paused.
“Probably.”
Clara laughed.
“Probably?”
Elsie nodded seriously.
“Maybe he's just a very unpleasant man with excellent timing.”
Daniel pointed at her.
“That is somehow more terrifying.”
Elsie smiled.
“Well, I'm glad I could contribute.”
The conversation dissolved into laughter again.
For Elsie, the Wraith was simply another strange legend circulating through Newhaven.
She had no idea how close that legend was to her own life.
And somewhere else in the same city—
the man behind the legend remained hidden in plain sight.
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