Vernon dialed the number from a phone booth.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
For a moment, he wondered if Lucien would even answer.
Then the line clicked.
Vernon’s grip tightened around the receiver.
“It’s me. Vernon.”
A familiar voice drifted through the speaker.
“Well… this is unexpected.”
A low chuckle echoed from the other end.
“What a surprise.”
Across the room, Lucien motioned to one of his men.
Trace the call.
His expression never changed.
“You disappeared from my sight for a very long time, Vernon. Tell me… what kept you hiding?”
Vernon’s jaw clenched.
“I wasn’t the traitor.”
A brief silence followed.
“I was framed.”
“By Theodore.”
Lucien’s chuckle deepened.
“Interesting.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Because Theodore has vanished as well.”
Vernon took a
