The sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb, its headlights illuminating the elegant facade of the four-star Michelin Italian restaurant. Dr. Carl Mendez stepped out, his tailored suit a dark silhouette against the warm glow of the city lights. He had chosen this restaurant, renowned for its exquisite cuisine and impeccable service, as the venue for his meeting. He had reserved the entire establishment, ensuring absolute privacy and security, a necessity for a man who dealt with the secrets and vulnerabilities of the elite.
He paused at the entrance, a polite nod acknowledging the figure seated at a table by the window. Mr. James Saunders, Benedict Rochester's ever-loyal assistant, sat with a practiced air of composure, his gaze fixed on a magazine, but his head tilted slightly as he caug
