Mr. Smith had been refusing to go out or even visit Ashley. To him, they were all a bunch of useless people who had failed him at every turn. He felt as though everything he had carefully planned over the years was slipping out of his control, crumbling piece by piece right before his eyes.
"I need to make a better plan," he muttered to himself, pacing the living room with restless steps.
"One even Raymond cannot interfere with."
He had been at home all day, sunk deep in thought, contemplating what his next move should be, when a sudden knock sounded on the door.
Mr. Smith froze. He chose to ignore it at first, hoping whoever it was would get tired and leave. But the knocking persisted, growing louder and more deliberate, as though the person outside was determined not to be ignored.
Annoyance flared. With a scowl, he stormed toward the door and yanked it open.
Mr. Smith's voice boomed the moment the door swung wide.
