Chapter 238

The diner buzzed with the steady rhythm of clinking plates and the hum of casual conversations. Waitresses darted back and forth, balancing trays and taking orders, while the soft drone of the television added a gentle undertone to the atmosphere. The sky outside had turned a deep shade of indigo, and the last remnants of daylight gave way to the shimmering streetlights that dotted the sidewalk.

Suddenly, the bell over the door chimed, but this time, the cheerful ring that usually welcomed new customers felt off. Four men stepped inside, their eyes sharp and scanning the room. They wore dark, nondescript clothing—hoodies pulled low over their faces and hands shoved into their pockets. They moved quickly, too quickly for a casual visit.

The atmosphere in the diner shifted, the energy instantly uneasy. The conversation at the booths quieted as the men strode further inside. One of them, a burly figure with tattoos snaking up his neck, pulled a gun from his waistband and raised it into t