A dozen seasoned guards formed a seamless ring around Jared and Flaxseed, spears, sabers, and halberds overlapping like woven thorns.

“Bold, aren’t you?” the man growled, each word bitten off. “In broad daylight you dare commit murder inside my tower. What do you take Whispers Tower for?”

The earlier fury drained from Flaxseed, leaving a flicker of unease, yet his tongue remained sharp. “She had it coming,” snapped. “Sell false leads, refuse repayment, you call that honest trade?”

The man’s lips curved into a chilling smile as his gaze drifted from the corpse back to Jared. “Whispers Tower conducts fair business, prices displayed for all to see. Swindling is beneath us.”

“You people drew blades the moment a word displeased you. Unless I get a satisfactory explanation, none of you will leave Whispers Tower tonight alive or otherwise!”

“An explanation? Certainly. We spent one million celestial gems here for directions to the Malevolent Path Hall’s branch. Your attendant pointed us to Darkwind Gorge and swore the lead was airtight!”

“In truth, the gorge belongs to the blood demons, not the Malevolent Path at all. We almost died beneath their blades. When we returned and asked for a refund, your handmaid denied everything, grew arrogant, and tried talking circles around us. Tell me, how is any of that our fault?!”