The city was buzzing with the arrival of the annual Trillionaires' Gala—an exclusive event where only families with assets exceeding a trillion were invited. It wasn't just about wealth; it was about power, reputation, and bloodline. Beneath the glitz and golden chandeliers, secrets were traded like currency, and enemies danced as allies.
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Every guest wore a customized mask, hiding their true face behind a crafted identity. Ochieng entered with Tasha on his arm, both in stunning attire—he in a velvet black tux with a blood-red lapel, she in an emerald dress that glittered like a sea of envy.
A host announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 89th Annual Trillionaires' Gala—where empires clash and futures are bought with a smile."
New entrants caught the crowd's attention:
Darian Volkov, 27, the Russian oil prince with ties to both the underworld and the UN.
Celeste Beaumont, 24, French tech mogul and fashion goddess, said to own AI systems that could predict stock markets 15 days in advance.
Yui Nakamura, 25, a Japanese heiress disguised as an intern in Ochieng's company, secretly investigating a betrayal within his empire.
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Lance Blackwell, clad in navy silk and gold embroidery, raised his glass from across the ballroom. Camille stood beside him, her mask adorned with sapphire and black feathers.
Camille (whispering): "He won't fall tonight, but he'll crack. Jealousy is the deadliest virus."
As Ochieng twirled Tasha on the dance floor, Camille intercepted mid-spin and replaced Tasha's hand with her own, forcing Ochieng to finish the dance with her in full public view.
Camille (softly): "Dance with me like you used to—before you knew I could ruin you."
Ochieng: "You already ruined the illusion of love. Now all I see is strategy."
As the violins played, Camille leaned in and kissed him—full, possessive, deliberate. The cameras clicked. The entire ballroom paused.
Vivienne, standing by the balcony, whispered to Tasha, "She just declared war."
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Later in a hidden courtyard lit by moonlight, Tasha confronted Ochieng.
Tasha: "You didn't push her away."
Ochieng (firmly): "Because I needed to know. Needed to taste the poison and remind myself why I spat it out."
Tasha: "And what did it remind you?"
Ochieng: "That she's no longer the woman I once loved. And I'm no longer the man she could manipulate."
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In the rooftop garden above the gala, Yui Nakamura handed a flash drive to an unseen figure.
Yui: "Everything you need. The Blackwells have tapped into the city's energy grids. They're planning a blackout—a full-scale attack disguised as a power failure."
Unknown Voice (filtered): "Good. Let the wolves play in the dark. It's time the forgotten families rise."
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As the night neared its end, invitations were handed out for the Obsidian Games—a brutal competition held in a private coastal city where elite families would pit their heirs against one another in twisted contests of intelligence, deception, charm, and power. The reward? Controlling shares in the secretive Orion Bank, a financial entity more powerful than governments.
Tasha (smirking): "You're entering, aren't you?"
Ochieng: "No. I'm not entering."
Tasha (confused): "Then who?"
Ochieng: "Jayden will enter. It's time he saw the battlefield... and they saw what he truly is."
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As the gala ended, Celeste Beaumont approached Ochieng.
Celeste: "You don't know me yet, but you will. Because the next time we meet, I might be saving your life... or ending it."
She kissed his cheek gently and walked away, leaving behind a silver card with only one word: "Soon."
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