Unveiling Moves

Dexter paced restlessly within the peaceful confines of the gallery's office with his usual poise unraveling as his face betrayed an unmistakable expression of confusion and frustration. The quiet hum of the surroundings did little to soothe his agitation. "What extra hand are you referring to? What are you actually talking about?" he demanded with his sharp tone and after cutting what Elza Hart said as he fixed his gaze firmly on Elza.

Elza, seated comfortably in her chair, exuded that usual air of nonchalance. She sat back quite leisurely, her lips curled into a rather smug smile that hinted at her delight at keeping him on edge. "Are you serious right now? You mean to tell me you have absolutely no clue what's going on?

Dexter furrowed his brows with his arms crossing as he spoke while his patience wearing thin with time. "If I knew, do you think I'd be standing here wasting time asking you?" His voice was taut, strained and laced with irritation.

Elza let out a heavy sigh, the drama of it exaggerated to almost comedic proportions. She shook her head as if explaining something so simple that it seemed one would have to be lost forever. "So typical of you running around like a chicken with its head cut off while honestly being completely clueless. It's almost impressive how oblivious you can be."

"Elza." His voice had dropped an octave, sharp and low, a clear warning that he was at his limit.

Her smile spread still wider, a look of smug content with the conversation obvious. "Alright, alright, you win for now" she said placatingly. "I'll get to it. You are going to like this. Well, maybe you won't but you have to hear it. During that dinner I had with the Latmier team some juicy information came up."

Dexter straightened his features written with skepticism. "Just get to the end."

"Oh, you're no fun" Elza teased but she finally leaned forward, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Calista has a daughter."

The words hit Dexter like a thunderclap, rendering him momentarily speechless. He stared at her his jaw tightening. "A daughter?"

"Yup." She said in a way clearly relishing the moment.

Dexter took a steadying breath, his mind racing to process the revelation. "How…?"

"Don't ask me for specifics." Elza said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I didn't pry for details. But hold on that's not even the best part."

He arched an eyebrow silently urging her to continue.

"You're such a killjoy." she muttered leaning her chin on her hand. "Anyway Agatha, one of the Latmier folks got a phone call during dinner. You'll never guess what it was about."

"I'm not guessing with what you have in hand just get it over with already." Dexter said flatly his irritation evident.

"Fine." she said with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "Latmier is leasing two entire floors the 18th one and the19th one in a building. And that building? It's just been purchased by someone very familiar to us. Care to guess now?"

Elza paused for effect enjoying the suspense. "It's now owned by FCT Holdings."

Dexter's face darkened. Viktor. Of course, it had to be him. His master had taken matters into his own hands. "Viktor Draven".

"Bingo" Elza exclaimed clapping her hands lightly in mock celebration.

Dexter's face darkened further as the implications of the news sank in. Viktor's maneuvering was bold, calculated and unsettling. "Does Miss Calista know?"

"Nope" Elza replied with her casually nonchalance in stark contrast to his growing tension. "Agatha was in such a panic she didn't have the presence of mind to tell her. Lucky for us, I overheard the whole conversation. Perks of my exceptional observational skills and the abilities of being a vampire".

Dexter rubbed his temples, the weight of the situation weighing down on him. "This changes everything Elza. We have to work faster. Axel needs to step up the pace-Viktor is not going to waste any time now that he has played his card."

"Axel?" Elza snorted. "That guy couldn't find his own shadow in daylight."

"Elza." Dexter's voice was sharp as a razor, cutting through her sarcasm.

"Ok, ok" she said with a sigh of mock defeat, raising her hands. "I'll tell him to step it up."

"And you" Dexter said pointing at her "need to keep close tabs on Miss Calista. Stay connected try to gather as much intel as you could and ensure her safety first at all cost. She's at risk from now on."

Elza became a bit skeptical of what Viktor said. "Protect her? Isn't that a bit melodramatic?"

"Not at all" Dexter said flatly. "If Viktor is involved then it's very serious. He's drawing her into his world and his world is full of danger and unpredictability. You know that as well as I do."

For once, Elza's smirk faded into a thoughtful expression. "Viktor showing his weakness… I never thought I'd see the day."

"This isn't a joke." Dexter snapped his tone brooking no argument.

"I understand." Elza said softly from her flippancy of a moment ago gone. "You are right. If Viktor really started getting into this seriously, things are going to get very messy for us and Calista's will get caught right in the center of it all."