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Less than half an hour after hanging up the phone, the familiar rumble of an engine grew closer, finally cutting out in the driveway. Leon's SUV—front end still crumpled and bruised from its encounter with the oak tree—looked absurdly out of place parked next to the pristine, modern white villa.
Leon jumped down from the driver's seat and stood for a moment, staring at the soft evening glow reflecting off the high-end glass. He looked at the mansion, then at his wrecked car, and his mouth twitched.
Noah and Claire were already at the door. Seeing the look on his face, they couldn't help but laugh.
"A little early for dinner, aren't you?" Claire teased, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed.
Leon sighed, slamming the car door with a hollow bang. He threw his hands up in mock defeat. "I'm off this afternoon. Can I just... live here? Seriously, my bank balance is currently screaming at me to eat nothing but raw potatoes for the next six months."
His genuine despondency earned another round of laughter. Sherry ran out from the living room, grabbing Leon's hand and looking up at him with wide, earnest eyes. "Leon, we have lots of delicious food. You can stay as long as you want."
Leon was instantly defeated by the girl's innocence. He bent down and rubbed his face. "Sherry, you're a literal angel."
Noah patted him on the shoulder, stepping aside. "Come in. You're welcome anytime."
The dinner was even more lavish than Leon had expected. Thick-cut Filet Mignon, seared to perfection with an enticing pink center; pan-fried pork chops seasoned with fresh rosemary; a crisp salad with a sharp vinaigrette; and a pot of creamy mushroom soup that smelled like heaven.
Leon wolfed down his steak like a man who hadn't eaten in a decade. "Oh... my god," he mumbled through a mouthful of beef. "Noah, how? Are you some five-star chef hiding under an international student visa?"
Claire sliced into her pork chop, a trace of pride in her smile. "Took you long enough to realize it. Noah's been keeping us alive with this stuff since the beginning."
Sherry ate until her cheeks were puffed out like a hamster's, nodding vigorously in agreement. Noah sat back, holding a glass of lemon water, quietly enjoying the warmth. This was what they had bled for in Raccoon City—this singular moment of peace.
After dinner, they drifted to the living room. Instead of the leather sofas, they sat on the soft wool carpet, the atmosphere relaxed and heavy with contentment. Leon lay flat on his back, staring at the crystal chandelier.
"Yesterday I was in a closet-sized apartment worrying about rent," Leon murmured. "Now I'm in a palace eating steak I usually only see through restaurant windows. I'm definitely dreaming."
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The rhythmic rapping on the oak door shattered the tranquility.
"Hello, Mr. Noah. Delivery."
The three adults froze. Leon bolted upright, his body tensing with the muscle memory of the Hive. "How?" he hissed. "The security at the front gate is airtight. No one just walks up to the door."
Claire gripped Noah's hand, her eyes wide. Noah, however, showed no surprise. He patted her hand and stood up. "Who else delivers a package like this?"
A single name surfaced in their minds simultaneously: Mr. T.
Noah opened the door. The man in the black suit stood there, an emotionless sculpture in the night. He handed over a square package, gave a curt nod, and vanished into the shadows before Noah could even say a word.
Noah brought the package to the carpet. Inside were three matte-black velvet boxes and two manila envelopes. He handed one box to Leon.
Inside was a sleek, unbranded satellite phone made of a heavy, high-tech alloy. Noah handed one to Claire and kept the third. He then tore open the thickest envelope and read aloud.
"Mr. Noah: Your efficiency in settling into your new home is noted. These phones are specially encrypted—untraceable and un-interceptable in most regions. The laptop provided contains the detailed intelligence you require regarding Umbrella's Paris branch: corporate structure, security layouts, and... classified data."
The letter continued, and Claire's breath hitched as Noah reached the next part.
"Regarding Mr. Chris Redfield: Our latest intelligence places him in Europe, but not currently in Paris. He is pursuing a separate lead. However, creating chaos in the Paris headquarters will draw fire away from him, providing the most direct support for his survival."
Claire's eyes shimmered with a mix of relief and renewed determination.
"Attached: Special admission and straight-A graduation certificates for Mr. Noah and Ms. Claire Redfield from Kansas State University. Also: Two first-class tickets for a direct flight from JFK to Paris, one month from today. —T"
Leon's jaw dropped. "University diplomas? But you guys are... you're sophomores!"
Noah didn't answer. He picked up the phone and dialed his advisor at Kansas State.
"Hello? Professor, it's Noah."
"Noah! My boy!" The aged voice on the other end was booming with pride. "I was just about to email you! I never expected you and Claire were such geniuses—graduating early with straight A's through the talent program! The Dean says you're the pride of the department!"
Claire dialed her own advisor and received the exact same response. When she hung up, her face was ghost-white.
"What kind of power is this?" Leon whispered, his worldview crumbling. "Altering records, forging a history that everyone actually believes... this isn't just government. This is something else."
Noah looked at Leon, his gaze heavy. "Mr. T operates outside the lines of any official agency. He has a network that rivals, maybe surpasses, Umbrella's."
"A Shadow Government," Leon muttered, the conspiracy theory finally feeling like a hard reality.
The room fell silent again until Noah picked up the spare set of villa keys and tossed them to Leon.
"Move in," Noah said. "That rental isn't safe anymore. Umbrella knows who you are." He reached out and ruffed Sherry's hair as she leaned against his leg. "Besides, Claire and I are going to Paris in a month."
Noah's gaze was gentle but firm. "During that time, Sherry is going to need someone to look after her. Someone I can trust."
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