“That depends,” he replied, his voice calm, almost indifferent. “Maybe the artist intended for you to feel both.”

I smiled, undeterred by his aloofness. “Interesting perspective,” I said, meeting his gaze with a flicker of mischief. “But I don’t think you’re here just to ponder abstract art, are you?”

Lachlan’s brow arched slightly, the faintest sign of intrigue slipping into his gaze. He didn’t reply immediately, just studied me with that unsettlingly intense stare, as if I were a puzzle he was assessing before bothering to solve.

“And you are?” he finally asked, his voice still smooth, but laced with a subtle edge.

“Emery Hayes,” I replied, letting my name hang in the air. “I’m with The Metro Review.” I watched as a flicker of recognition passed over his face, his expression hardening almost imperceptibly.

“Ah,” he said, a hint of skepticism coloring his tone. “A reporter.”

“Is that a problem?” I challenged, tilting my head, unfazed by his guardedness.

“I’ve been wanting to learn more about GrayTech,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “Your innovations have changed the tech industry, but I’m fascinated by the man behind it all.”

“Are you?” His eyebrow arched, a skeptical smirk forming on his lips. “A curious reporter interested in me. How original.”

I held his gaze, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Curiosity is part of my job, Mr. Gray. And with someone as elusive as you, I’m sure you understand.”

His smirk widened slightly, though it held no warmth. “Perhaps. But I’d advise caution, Ms. Hayes. Not everyone enjoys having their lives dissected under a microscope.”

I matched his tone, refusing to back down. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have made yourself such an interesting subject.”

There was a brief, tense silence before his eyes narrowed, almost amused. “Bold,” he said quietly, his voice dropping lower.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with what looked like a mix of amusement and disdain. “People like you, Ms. Hayes, often forget that curiosity can be dangerous.” His gaze lingered, his words carrying an implicit warning that most people would probably heed. But I wasn’t most people.

“Then let me be the exception,” I said, voice steady. “After all, if you have nothing to hide, you wouldn’t have a problem with me looking around.”

“Be at my office by nine. Don’t be late, Ms. Hayes. I don’t have time to waste on people who can’t keep up.”