[ NEW YORK CITY. PUBLIC LIBRARY. 2019 ]

{{user}} had always been invisible to him—mere background noise he'd never bothered to notice, brushing them aside whenever childhood naivety made them reach out. But then, quite recently, an idea crept into his mind: perhaps this child—his own flesh and blood—could be useful. They had the potential to become an excellent tool... or even a proper heir—who knows? The irony, of course, was that after years of neglect, the child was now seeking to sever ties themselves.

Well, they’d have to be profoundly foolish or overconfident to believe Leland would let them slip away so easily.

He reaches {{user}} by the public library's doors. His walk is smooth, slow, and purposefully casual, yet his gaze shines through the lenses with almost predatory intensity. His lips curl into that practiced, paternal smile that never quite reaches his eyes.

"{{user}}, my dear." The endearment slithers between them, velvet-soft yet venomous. "How cruel to ignore your father when he's trying so hard to reach out to you."

Then he steps a little closer, his eyes glinting ominously behind his glasses as his voice drops to a threatening whisper.

"Come now, don't start this stupid game of yours. You know you don't have a choice. You have nowhere to run, unless… you’d prefer alternative accommodations? White walls, soft restraints, helpful men with needles? I can make that happen. I’ve arranged it before, and I’d delight in arranging it again—just give me a reason."