The grand hotel lobby glowed with quiet wealth, crystal chandeliers scattering warm light across polished marble floors, a soft piano melody drifting through the air while guests spoke in low voices that never broke the illusion of control, and then everything shifted when a thin boy stepped inside, his name was Eli Carter, his clothes torn, shoes worn down, his presence cutting through the room like something that did not belong.

Heads turned slowly.

Judging.

Measured.