Frederico simply gave a faint smile—the kind that never revealed everything, only enough to leave anyone intrigued.

— Surprises lose their charm when they’re revealed, my dear. — he replied, polite yet enigmatic. — Just be ready.

And without adding anything else, he turned and left the room, leaving behind a faint woody scent and a silence filled with unanswered questions.

Olívia stood there for a few seconds, her heart racing. Something was coming.

— Great… — she murmured to herself, rising sl