"Stop!"
Raya's voice rang out sharply through the room, cutting through the heavy, oppressive silence like a blade slicing cold steel.
Everything froze in an instant.
Ace and Stone halted mid-swing, the thick cane suspended menacingly in the air, still vibrating slightly from the momentum of the previous strikes. The echo of the last THWACK still lingered in the air like a dying threat.
Slowly.... almost reluctantly.... every pair of eyes in the room turned toward Adrian.
Because everyone present knew one undeniable, ironclad truth:
Adrian Blake did not tolerate interruptions.
Especially not when he was in the middle of passing judgment.
Especially not in front of his men.
And yet…
Adrian simply raised his hand in a small, effortless gesture.
"Stop."
That was all.
No anger in his voice.
No irritation.
No immediate punishment for the bold interruption.
Just one calm, quiet word.
