The dimly lit underground room remained cold and silent.
Only the faint hum of distant machinery echoed through the concrete walls while Riley Styles sat restrained at the center of it all.
Directly before him—
The Viper stood calmly beneath the hanging light.
The serpent mask reflecting faintly against the shadows.
Then slowly—
The Viper reached upward.
And removed the mask.
The room seemed to grow even quieter afterward.
Sharp features.
Dark hair streaked faintly with silver near the temples.
Cold intelligent eyes carrying years of resentment and amusement simultaneously.
A face Riley already knew.
Viktor Kaide.
His former business partner.
The man officially presumed dead years ago even before he worked briefly with him and was oblivious to that piece of information.
Viktor smiled faintly while observing Riley carefully.
"Well?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"No reaction?"
Riley calmly stared back at him.
Expression unchanged.
And after several seconds—
