A shrewd businessman

Lara, though undoubtedly upset, refused to give the caller the satisfaction of seeing her rattled. She would talk to Bruno and Silas about it.

With a voice laced with ice, she replied, "Business is business. Silas is a shrewd businessman, and I'm sure he knows what he's doing. Bruno obviously agreed to the arrangement, so there's no need for outsiders to be meddling. Especially those with nothing but nonsense to peddle."

With a decisive click, she ended the call.

John, on the other end, lowered the phone slowly, a bewildered look momentarily clouding his features. Then, a slow, cocky grin spread across his face. "Mission accomplished," he murmured with satisfaction. "The seeds of discord are sown."