Cyrus's eyes turned as cold and piercing as a winter's night. Even the bodyguard next to him couldn't help but shiver under the intensity of his presence.

Brian stood there, too intimidated to utter a word.

"Who was Vee talking to on the phone?" Cyrus gently traced his thumb ring, his expression a mix of darkness and mystery, accentuated by the way the light cast eerie shadows behind him.

"I... I'm not sure," Brian replied, his voice quivering as he stood there, rooted to ...