Chapter 288

I half-expected to be turned away. Guess dropping Matthew's name still worked like a charm, especially with Thorsten. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside. An old man with graying hair was performing slow, deliberate self-defense routines in the middle of the room.

He's Thorsten?! I'd done my research. He wasn't even sixty yet, roughly Matthew's age. In photos, he looked younger and sharper, but now he seemed a generation older than Matthew. Even with all my reading on Thorsten, it was hard to reconcile that image with the man before me, focused on his forms as if one with the air around him. For a second, I wondered if I'd come to the wrong place.

"So, what do you want?" Thorsten asked, without pausing his movements, each form executed with precision. That voice left no doubt—it was Thorsten Drago. Why he looked so different, I didn't want to guess. I took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Drago, hi. I'm Keira Kay."

"I know who you are," he replied, his routine unbroken.

I froze, my heart racing. He knew who I was. Did that mean he knew why I was here, too? Had Cole already told him?

"Matthew thinks of you like a daughter. He's mentioned you more than once," Thorsten added.

So that's how he knew. His words left me speechless. My prepared script vanished.

"Go on. What is it you want to ask me?" Thorsten continued, his hands and feet moving with a surprising blend of strength and grace. He didn't even break a sweat. He remained turned to the side, almost as if testing me.

I took a steadying breath. "Mr. Drago, I wanted to ask if you remember someone named Alan Kay. You talked to him about a contract over a decade ago."

Thorsten didn't immediately respond. He continued his sequence of smooth, powerful movements—steps, punches, and twists, flowing as if in his own world. He repeated the routine a dozen times before slowing down and turning to face me. Standing with his legs together, he raised his hands to chest height and took a series of slow, deep breaths, his hands rising and falling in perfect synchronization.

Chapter 289 (Presumably, there was a mistake in the chapter numbering)

For the first time, I saw his face clearly. It wasn't much different from the photos, but there was a calmness and gentleness the pictures hadn't captured. The man before me was nothing like the rumors I'd heard. His face showed years of discipline and self-control. I realized he was regulating his breathing.

Even though I craved answers, I knew better than to interrupt. After almost five minutes, Thorsten slowly opened his eyes and looked directly at me. His piercing gaze sent a chill down my spine, tightening my throat and silencing the words I wanted to say.

The bodyguard by the door stepped forward, offering him a towel. Thorsten wiped his hands and asked, "How old are you?" He hadn't answered my question, only posed his own.

I swallowed and answered honestly, "Twenty-four."

Thorsten finished wiping his hands; the bodyguard took the towel. He moved to the seating area. A girl waiting nearby swiftly poured him tea and offered a blanket with the efficiency of a period drama attendant.

Seriously, what a life. I couldn't help but stare. I thought of Matthew. He had just as much money, but he never acted like this. The Johnston family had household staff, but Matthew often cooked his own meals. Lindey even ensured he did dishes and cleaned the kitchen at least once a week.

Compared to Thorsten, Matthew seemed like a regular, down-to-earth guy. And yet, they were close. They didn't see each other often, but when they did, they spent the whole day together.