The tension in the ballroom was suffocating. Eyes darted between Ochieng and Yun Cheng, sensing an invisible battle of dominance. The once-celebratory atmosphere of the Silver Crest Hotel's grand gala had turned into an arena, and Ochieng was the lone emperor standing.
Yun Cheng, the eldest son of the Yun Clan, scoffed. "You must think you're something special, walking in here uninvited." His fingers curled around his glass of Qinglong wine, veins pulsing with suppressed rage.
Ochieng merely smiled, a slow, deliberate gesture that sent chills through those watching. "You misunderstand. I don't need an invitation. This city was mine before you even realized its worth."
A hush spread through the elites. Some recognized his name from whispers in the shadows, but few had ever seen him in person. Ochieng—the leader of the Eight Major Provinces. A silent trillionaire. A ghost of the underworld.
Linet, standing gracefully beside him, tapped her manicured fingers on the stem of her glass. "Shall we stop pretending, Yun Cheng?"
The young master's expression darkened. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Ochieng placed his glass down with a soft clink, his gaze locking onto Yun Cheng's. "Your clan is already finished. You just don't know it yet."
The doors of the ballroom suddenly burst open.
Black-suited men flooded in—Ochieng's men. Silent. Efficient. The very essence of death lurking in tailored suits.
Jeff stepped forward, handing Ochieng a black folder. "Everything is in place. The Yun Clan's assets are already in our control."
Yun Cheng's face drained of color. "Impossible!"
Ochieng leaned in slightly, voice low and deadly. "You shouldn't have touched my parents."
The entire hall froze.
Ochieng had never spoken about his past. He had built an empire out of the ashes of something lost, but no one knew the depths of his wrath. Until now.
Yun Cheng stumbled back. "W-Wait… this is a misunderstanding! It wasn't me!"
Ochieng's lips curved into a chilling smile. "It doesn't matter."
Before Yun Cheng could react, two men stepped forward and restrained him.
The Yun Clan had fallen.
The ballroom guests remained silent as Ochieng took one last sip of his wine and turned toward the exit. "Enjoy the party," he murmured, stepping past the lifeless remains of an empire that had once dared to challenge him.
As he walked out, Linet whispered with a smirk, "Happy birthday, Ochieng."