The room stayed quiet after the call.
No one spoke immediately.
They didn't need to.
Everyone understood what that name meant.
Amara placed the phone down slowly. Her expression was calm, but sharper than before.
"They're not asking," she said.
"They're expecting."
One of the executives exhaled.
"That's not a good sign."
Franko remained still.
Unbothered.
"Set the meeting," he said.
All eyes turned to him.
"That's it?" someone asked. "You're not even going to question it?"
Franko looked at him briefly.
"What's there to question?" he replied.
"They've already made their move."
Decision Made
Amara studied him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Tomorrow," she said. "We'll meet them."
The tension in the room didn't ease.
If anything…
It deepened.
Because now it was real.
The Next Day
The building was different.
Bigger.
More guarded.
This wasn't a place you walked into casually.
Franko stepped out of the car alongside Amara. Security at the entrance was tight, movements precise, eyes observant.
"Stay sharp," one of the staff whispered.
Franko didn't respond.
He was already focused.
Inside Power
The interior was quiet.
Not empty.
Just controlled.
Every step echoed slightly against polished floors. Every movement felt measured.
They were being watched.
Franko noticed it immediately.
"Expected," he murmured.
Amara glanced at him briefly but said nothing.
The Room
The meeting room was large.
Minimal.
Clean.
But the presence inside it…
Was heavy.
A man sat at the far end of the table.
Still.
Calm.
Waiting.
The moment they entered, his eyes lifted.
Sharp.
Observant.
And locked directly onto Franko.
First Impressions
"Amara," he said.
His voice was smooth.
Controlled.
Then his gaze shifted slightly.
"And you must be the reason for the recent… disruption."
Franko didn't sit immediately.
"Depends on how you see it," he replied.
A faint smile appeared on the man's face.
"Interesting answer."
Testing Begins
"Sit," the man said.
This time, Franko did.
Not rushed.
Not hesitant.
Just controlled.
Amara remained silent.
Letting it play out.
Straight to the Point
"You've been making bold moves," the man continued.
"No," Franko said calmly.
"I've been making correct ones."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
The man laughed softly.
"That kind of confidence…" he said,
"…usually comes with consequences."
Franko met his gaze directly.
"I'm aware."
Pressure Rises
The room felt tighter.
More focused.
This wasn't a normal meeting.
This was evaluation.
"Tell me," the man said, leaning slightly forward,
"what exactly do you want?"
No games.
No delay.
Franko answered immediately.
"Access."
Interest Deepens
The man's expression didn't change.
But his eyes sharpened.
"Access to what?" he asked.
Franko's voice stayed steady.
"Everything you're trying to control."
Silence.
Real silence.
Even Amara shifted slightly at that.
Because that wasn't a small request.
That was a challenge.
A Dangerous Smile
The man leaned back slowly.
Then smiled.
Not friendly.
Not welcoming.
Interested.
"You don't think small, do you?" he said.
Franko didn't respond.
He didn't need to.
Still Rising
The air between them changed.
This wasn't just curiosity anymore.
This was recognition.
Of something different.
Something dangerous.
And for the first time—
The man wasn't just observing.
He was paying attention.
End of Chapter 15.