The afternoon sun cast golden rays across the elegant living room as Mrs. Ryan sat poised on a velvet couch, her posture upright, her expression unreadable. Collins sat opposite her, a wine glass cradled in one hand, trying to appear composed, though tension gnawed quietly at him.
Nora wasn’t home. She was still at work.
Mrs. Ryan broke the silence with a deliberate tone. “Collins, how far have you gone with our mission?”
Her eyes locked on his, searching for assurance and results.
Collins gave a tight smile and scratched the back of his head. “I’ve been trying, ma’am. I’ve brought it up in conversations, casually... but she’s always cautious. She never gives me a straight answer. She dodges it.”
Mrs. Ryan leaned in slightly. “You’re telling me she still hasn’t told you why she’s refu
