Xena turned around with an icy gaze. The authority of a high-ranking officer caused her expression to sharpen.

"Not interested," she said.

If Felix had been there, his blood would've run cold. That was because the man casually inviting Xena to a late-night meal was none other than Specter.

Unfazed by her rejection, Specter continued smiling.

"Don't you want the day to come when you can pin Felix beneath your heel and make him answer to you? Don't you want to see him look up at you one day, forced to regret every wrong he's done? Or are you truly content to let the man who broke you walk away unscathed?"

Xena's eyebrow twitched. She studied him carefully, one hand subtly slipping into her purse. She was ready to alert Felix.

"Who are you?" she asked.

Specter rubbed his chin as if genuinely considering the question.

"Well, it's complicated. Let's skip that part! I'm simply fascinated by Felix. I've invested considerable resources into investigating him, and you are one of the mos