But her words hung in the air as she noticed a woman sitting in one of the chairs in front of Kadren's desk. The woman turned, and Luna's eyes widened in surprise. It was Ava, her cousin. Luna's face froze, her mind racing with memories of their complicated past. "Ava," Luna's voice barely above a whisper, as she became stunned.
Ava's gaze swept across the room, her eyes locking onto Luna's face. Her expression transformed from poised to furious in an instant. "Luna!!" Her expression darkened" What are you doing here?" she snapped.
Kadren's eyes flicked between the two women, observing the palpable tension between them. His gaze lingered on Luna's furious face, then shifted to Ava's, where he saw a mix of disdain and animosity. "Miss Ava knows Luna?" he asked, his tone neutral, but his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Luna grip on the files tightening as she struggled to maintain her professional demeanor.
As he waited for a response, Kadren's gaze drifted to Luna's hands, noticing her white-knuckled grip on the file, her fingers clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned pale. Kadren's expression turned thoughtful, his brow furrowing slightly as he observed the telltale sign of Luna's rising anxiety.
Ava's lips curled into a sneer as she replied, her voice dripping with venom. "Oh, we know each other all right. Luna and I go way back." Her eyes flashed with malice, and Luna's face twisted in anger, her grip on the file tightening even further.
Kadren's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued. "I see," he said, his voice low and measured. "And might I ask, what is the nature of your... acquaintance?" He leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving Ava's face, waiting for her response with an air of anticipation.