Sofia stepped into a laboratory in high heels, accompanied by two bodyguards.
A faint smell of disinfectant hung in the air.
This was Valentin's laboratory, all clean lines and bright white surfaces.
Two pristine white armchairs stood in the room, with a row of storage cabinets built into the wall beside them.
Valentin sat in one of the armchairs, dressed in an all-white suit.
He watched Sofia enter, a smile devoid of warmth on his lips.
Sofia wore a sharp black skirt suit. She sat confidently in the other armchair and got straight to the point.
"You mean... you want me to stop the Puppet Army's operations?"
Valentin's voice was as calm as his expression, as though he were confirming something he already knew.
Sofia crossed her legs, rested her hands on her knee, and leaned forward slightly.
"Maroni is on his last legs. After the beating he took last time, he's hiding in some rat hole, afraid to come out. I can handle hunting him down myself."
Her meaning was clear: she wanted to end their partnership.
Valentin nodded thoughtfully.
"Of course, that's no problem," he said, his voice as gentle as ever. "You helped connect me with resources and earn Thomas's trust. Our partnership has been quite pleasant."
His gaze lingered on Sofia's face for a moment.
Sofia shifted in her seat, relaxing a little.
"There's something I'm very curious about. How do you turn people into puppets? Why are they completely under your control?"
She had promised Ririko she would gather evidence of Valentin turning people into puppets.
Valentin chuckled as though he had heard an amusing joke.
He stood, turned away, and walked toward the cabinet on one side of the room.
He opened it, revealing a wine cabinet inside.
He took out a bottle of