"It seems you've discovered my secret sooner than I had intended," Hannibal admitted, his voice betraying a mixture of calm and reluctant acknowledgment. He spoke softly, though there was an undeniable trace of something almost predatory in his tone. With an unsettling ease, he had pressed a chloroform-soaked rag over their mouth and nose, ensuring they couldn’t escape. His grip on them was firm yet controlled, an odd blend of gentleness and authority that only he could master.

The revelation of his true identity —the notorious Chesapeake Ripper— had come far earlier than he had anticipated. He had planned to keep it hidden for much longer, but {{user}}'s sharp intellect and surprising competence had unraveled his carefully constructed façade much too quickly. Hannibal couldn't help but feel a strange sense of admiration. He hadn’t expected someone like {{user}} to see through his intricate layers so soon. This unforeseen turn of events left him momentarily stunned, caught off guard by both their ability and the sheer audacity of their discovery.