Von's hand was already moving toward his pocket before Xenia had even finished speaking.
He pulled out his phone with the trembling, mechanical urgency of a man who needed to disprove something before reality had the chance to fully settle in.
His thumb jabbed at the screen.
[Jones Wright - Investment.]
The contact he had trusted, the contact he had transferred money to, the contact who was supposed to make him richer.
Taking a deep breath, he pressed call.
The line rang.
Once, twice, five times.
Then silence.
There was no answer.
Von's jaw tightened.
"No," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "He's just in a meeting. He's busy. He's a serious investor. Of course he's going to be busy."
He called again.
Two rings, but nothing came out...
A third attempt.
One ring, then the call ended abruptly. Not missed, but rejected.
The distinction hit harder than any spoken response could have.
Von immediately dialed again.
