"Raymond."
Hearing his name, the man turned his head. His dark eyes narrowed as Julian strode toward him with measured, deliberate steps. Stopping only a few feet away, Julian held his gaze without blinking, silently searching for the slightest crack in the composure of the man who had forced his way into Phoebe's world.
Raymond remained perfectly still, his expression unreadable. He offered neither greeting nor acknowledgment, allowing the silence between them to stretch until it became almost oppressive.
"What are you doing here?" Julian finally asked, his voice restrained but firm.
"I have business here," Raymond replied evenly. His deep baritone carried no trace of warmth. "Why did you call my name?"
Julian took another step forward, the quiet fury in his eyes becoming impossible to conceal. "There's something I need to ask you." His jaw tightened. "I just don't know whether someone like you has the time to entertain a conversation like this."
