Romano stared at Vanessa as if she had just slapped him.
For several seconds, the only sound in the basement was the faint hum of the overhead lights.
"You're lying," Romano said finally.
Vanessa tilted her head slightly.
"I don't need to."
Romano leaned forward against the restraints.
"The Circle doesn't replace people like me."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Actually… they do."
Romano's jaw tightened.
"You don't understand how this works."
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"You're right."
She stepped closer.
"I understand something worse."
Romano glared at her.
"What?"
Vanessa leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
"You're expendable."
Romano slammed his hands against the restraints again.
"You think I'd work for them if that were true?"
Vanessa shrugged.
"People work for worse bosses every day."
Marco chuckled quietly from the corner.
Romano shot him a murderous look.
Vanessa walked slowly around the chair, studying Romano like a puzzle she was slowly solving.
