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Branden’s eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized Joseph, the masked figure who entered the room. His thoughts raced. He had suspected that Catherine might be tied to the Hacker Alliance in some way, but seeing Joseph here confirmed his suspicions.
“Well, well, looks like you’ve brought a familiar face,” Branden said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge. He studied Joseph for a moment, taking in the way he moved with quiet confidence. The man was clearly someone who knew how to handle himself in tense situations. But Branden wasn’t one to be intimidated easily.
Joseph, for his part, stood still for a second before lowering his mask, revealing the same calculating eyes that Catherine had when they last met. His demeanor remained calm, and his voice, when he spoke, was measured.
“It’s an honor, Mr. Duncan,” Joseph said, nodding once as a sign of respect, though his tone remained neutral.
Branden didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he gestured to the empty seat opposite him, inviting Joseph to sit. The tension in the air was palpable, but neither man acknowledged it directly.
As Joseph took a seat, Paxton, standing near the door, seemed to relax just a little. He had been prepared for a confrontation, but with Joseph’s calmness, it seemed like a different kind of negotiation was about to unfold.
“You know why we’re here,” Branden began, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. “We’re not here for pleasantries. I’m interested in the chip, and I know that Hacker Alliance has its eye on it. But I’m curious—why the sudden urgency?”
Joseph’s lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Hacker Alliance doesn’t deal in urgency without reason, Mr. Duncan. There are… bigger things at play here. The chip, while valuable, is just one part of the equation. You’re asking questions I’m not sure you’re prepared to hear the answers to.”
Branden leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Joseph’s. The intensity in the room seemed to increase as Branden’s cool demeanor turned steely. “I think I can handle whatever you throw at me. But let’s be clear: if Hacker Alliance thinks they can intimidate the Duncans, they’ve made a grave mistake.”
Joseph met his gaze without flinching, his tone still calm but with an underlying challenge. “It’s not intimidation, Mr. Duncan. It’s an invitation—an opportunity. But that’s all it is. Whether you take it or not is entirely up to you.”
Paxton, sensing the tension was about to boil over, subtly moved closer to the door, ready to act if things escalated. But Branden remained composed, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the arm of the sofa as he considered Joseph’s words.
“The Duncans don’t make deals out of weakness,” Branden said, his voice low and firm. “You want the chip? You’ll have to earn it. And if Hacker Alliance is involved, you better be prepared for more than just business. Because I play for keeps.”
Joseph nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving Branden’s. “I expected nothing less from you, Mr. Duncan. I’ll be sure to pass your message along. But remember, there’s more at stake here than just business. Don’t underestimate what you’re dealing with.”
The silence that followed hung heavy in the room. Branden leaned back into his seat, a cold smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “We’ll see about that.”
With that, the meeting began in earnest, but both men knew this was only the beginning. The game was far from over. And both sides were playing for keeps.