"Oh, so you're the owner?" the man asked in a deep, calm baritone voice, holding out Valiant's reins toward Celine.
"How did he get loose on his own? This adorable little creature almost walked out onto the highway."
The man finally stood up, his tall frame exuding a relaxed yet commanding presence. His hand hung in the air as if waiting for a greeting.
Celine remained silent, fixated on the unfamiliar face. There was something familiar about him, even though she was certain she'd never seen him before. Images of businesspeople she'd met flashed through her mind, as if this man belonged to the same world.
The man raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "Helloo… are you okay?"
There was something about the way the man stood, calm, full of confidence, as if the world around him could never shake him. His smile was faint, and the look in his eyes radiated a self-assurance that made others feel too intimidated to oppose him.
