Age Of Paradoxes

The silence had returned to the car, heavy like a storm cloud hanging above their heads.

Jason kept his eyes fixed on Lassen, trying to pierce the enigma behind his smile. He expected a cutting retort, a veiled threat, or even a carefully laid trap. But nothing came.

Lassen, meanwhile, seemed elsewhere. His gaze had slightly drifted away from Jason, as if an invisible thread had snapped in his mind, pulling him toward something else. Finally, he spoke, his tone calmer, almost thoughtful

"You can go."

Jason raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Excuse me?"

"You can head back to your hotel, catch your breath, write your report, do whatever you like." He turned his head toward Adrian. "Stop at the next street."

Adrian said nothing, but followed the instruction without question.

Jason stared at Lassen, still wary.

"Just like that? No threat? No warning? No message to pass along?"

Lassen gave a tired smile.