Prologue
The room had been built for celebrations.
Tonight, it felt like a courtroom.
Crystal chandeliers cast a warm light across the polished marble floors, reflecting off champagne glasses that no one bothered to lift.
Everyone stood frozen, watching and waiting for what was about to unfold. For the first time in over a century, not a single person was smiling.
Alexander Kingston stood at the far end of the room, beside Yulian Navarro.
His tailored tuxedo was immaculate, but the the fury in his expression did not. Across the room, Briella Devereaux met his gaze for only a moment before looking away.
Nine months ago, they had walked into this room as rivals.
Around them, the Committee of the Founding Six sat in absolute silence.
A single leather portfolio rested in the center of the table.
No one reached for it.
No one wanted to, because everyone in the room already knew that once it was opened, there would be no returning to the lives they had built.
