Then next day, Matteo met with Leo and Maya in a private training ground.

“Leo, you and I,” Matteo’s voice was always low, smooth, almost soothing, “we’re cut from the same cloth. Hungry. Ambitious. The world is our stage. You’ve done what most never dream of. But it doesn’t end here. I can take you further.”

Leo laughed the first few times, brushing him off with that casual, boyish charm. “You talk like some kind of magician, Matteo. I don’t need anyone pulling strings ...