THE IMMEDIATE CLAIM THREE
The car ride was silent, but it wasn't the awkward kind of silence Rose had expected. It felt thick, charged with an unspoken gravity. When they pulled up to the Smith estate-a sprawling, architectural marvel of glass and stone nestled in the hills-Rose felt a sudden, sharp pang of intimidation. This wasn't just a house; it was a fortress. Alexander stepped out and opened her door, his movements fluid and efficient. As they walked through the towering foyer, the house felt remarkably quiet. "I have a staff,"Alexander said, as if reading her apprehension. "But they know their place. They will not disturb you. This floor is ours." He led her up a grand, sweeping staircase, his pace steady. He didn't offer a tour of the study or the formal dining room; he seemed intent on one destinatio
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