The sky over Rosehall was crimson, like it bled from the same wounds the city refused to show.
Inside the grand Rosehall Estate, a high-profile funeral was taking place. Billionaires mingled with murderers in suits, and champagne flowed like confessions. At the center of it all was a coffin wrapped in roses—not for mourning, but for masking a murder.
Raymond Voss was being buried.
At the front row sat Juliette Voss, the grieving sister dressed in flawless black lace, a single tear sliding down her powdered cheek. Beside her sat Dr. Kane, freshly shaven, pretending to be the silent, solemn boyfriend. His eyes scanned every guest—he knew someone in that crowd had pulled the trigger.
Leonis Almaric – 31, sharp-jawed, CEO of LuxCorp Biotech, notorious for lawsuits, and the man who once dated both Juliette and Ivy. Known for his viper smile and merciless charm. He arrived in a midnight-blue tuxedo, tossing glances like knives.
--
Ochieng stood in disguise—dark sunglasses, a low brimmed hat, and a cigarette that never touched his lips. Beside him were Zara, now posing as his newlywed wife, and Nikita, pretending to be their assistant.
"He's here," Nikita whispered. "Leonis."
Ochieng didn't blink. "He's the final key."
Zara nudged him. "You sure about crashing this funeral?"
"Crashing?" he smirked. "I'm here to wake the dead."
--
The rich spoke in low tones. Waiters carried wine like secrets. And the portraits of the Voss family hung like ghosts watching the drama unfold.
A woman in red stilettos stepped onto the velvet carpet.
Maureen Devika – 25, fashion mogul heiress, with silver-blonde curls, green eyes, and a reputation for stealing hearts and secrets. She walked straight up to Juliette, kissed her on both cheeks, and whispered, "We both know he didn't die in his sleep."
Juliette didn't flinch. "And we both know you didn't come here to mourn."
Maureen smiled. "No. I came to claim my inheritance."
---
Inside the estate's wine cellar, Ochieng found the hidden panel behind a shelf—just as Raymond's voice echoed in his memory:
> "If I die, don't look for my killers. Look for the ones who smiled at my funeral."
He pressed the code. The panel opened. Inside—a hard drive.
Nikita gasped. "This… this has files on Rosehall's underground financial network. Offshore accounts. Contracts. Blackmail records."
Ochieng's voice turned cold. "This is why they killed him."
Zara held up a folder. "And this… this shows Naomi's name."
---
While the city wept, the campus danced.
Naomi, in a silk lavender gown, entered the university's prom with Eric, her classmate—tall, soft-spoken, and clearly smitten. He had no idea Naomi's smile was forced. She needed a distraction.
But at that prom, another new face appeared.
Adriana Kells – 22, transfer student from Lisbon. Slim, honey-toned skin, and glowing eyes that made boys stutter. She was Naomi's new roommate—but also, secretly, sent by Juliette.
Adriana whispered to Naomi, "Ochieng's not dead. He's coming for you."
Naomi froze.
Juliette stood alone in the family garden, holding a photo of Ochieng and Ivy. She burned it with a golden lighter. A tear dropped on the ashes.
"Let it all burn," she whispered. "If I can't have him, no one will."