(Leave Ethan and Victoria for now and let's get to our Alexander. Ethan and Alexander are in good terms now.)
Alexander's gaze never wavered from the man tied to the chair. His voice remained calm, but his words dripped with menace.
"Tell me, where is the package?"
The man's pleas were muffled by the gag.
Suddenly, Alexander's phone rang. He hesitated, then answered.
"Hey, kiddo!" Alexander's tone shifted to warm and affectionate.
"Uncle Alexander! Summer break started!" Emily's excited voice filled the line.
Alexander smiled, his eyes never leaving the captive.
"Congratulations! How's the first day of freedom?"
"I'm so bored already! Can you come over? We can hang out, watch movies, and play games!" Emily's enthusiasm was infectious.
Alexander glanced at the man, then back to the conversation.
"I'll try, Emily. But I have some work to finish first."
"Please, Uncle Alexander? It won't be fun without you!"
Alexander's expression softened.
"I'll be there soon, kiddo. Promise."
Meanwhile, Emily beamed with excitement, already planning their activities.
As Alexander's phone call with Emily ended, the dimly lit room seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening like wounds. The air thickened with tension, heavy with the weight of secrets. The man tied to the chair, his eyes wide with terror, trembled uncontrollably. Alexander's gaze, once warm and affectionate, transformed into an unyielding glare.
"Where were we?" Alexander's voice dropped to a low, menacing tone, sending shivers down the captive's spine. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the fluorescent lights above.
The man's pleas were muffled by the gag, but his eyes screamed for mercy. Alexander's expression remained impassive, his eyes cold and calculating. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in on the captive.
Suddenly, Alexander's phone buzzed, shattering the silence. He glanced at the screen, his expression unreadable. The caller ID flashed "Unknown." Alexander's eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening.
"Alexander," he answered, his voice low and guarded.
The voice on the other end was distorted, unrecognizable. "You're getting close to the truth. Back off." The line went dead.
Alexander's eyes locked onto the captive, his mind racing with possibilities. Who was on the other end? What truth were they hiding?
The room seemed to darken further, the shadows twisting into ominous shapes. Alexander's grip on the phone tightened, his knuckles white with tension.
"Time's running out," Alexander whispered to the captive, his voice dripping with malice. "Tell me what I want to know."
The man's eyes widened, his face pale with fear. Alexander's gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with an unyielding determination.
Alexander's eyes never left the captive's face, his gaze piercing the man's very soul.
"Tell me, where is the package?" Alexander's voice remained calm, but his words dripped with menace.
