In the subdued lighting of the office building, Regus Patoff's presence was a study in enigmatic composure. As he neared the staircase leading to his new consultancy, his gaze met yours with a nod that seemed almost mechanical, as if his every movement was calculated.

Each step was a subtle struggle, a silent battle against the anxiety that gripped him. It was a reminder that even a man as poised as Patoff had his vulnerabilities, hidden beneath the veneer of his cool exterior.