Wallace was seated at a separate table, slightly elevated from the rest, reviewing a stack of applications with an efficiency that suggested he had been doing this for hours.
There was no trace of the usual arrogance in the way he carried himself now. His focus was sharp, his posture composed, occasionally exchanging brief, direct instructions with the people assisting him.
For a moment, I considered turning around. Not out of fear. Just… hesitation. But I was already here. And I wasn’t about to let him dictate what I could or couldn’t do – not anymore.
So, I walked forward.
When my form reached him, he didn’t look up immediately. He scanned the page first, eyes moving quickly across the details… until something made him pause.
Then he looked up. Our eyes met. For a brief second, nei
