That day, London was blanketed in a gentle drizzle. Cassian Ward—clad in a charcoal gray suit and a custom-tailored black coat—stood outside a small cafe he'd never even heard of before. He took a deep breath. All his life, he'd dealt with investors, generals, and politicians worldwide. But this… a blind date arranged by his mother? This was more nerve-wracking than an annual global meeting.

"My mother is completely out of ideas…" Cassian thought, looking at his watch.