The fire in the sky still hadn't faded when Lord Ignatius Venhart, 35 — infamous trillionaire tycoon and rumored son of a fallen god — descended on Noir Citadel with an army of lawyers, armed guards, and brides.
Yes — brides.
Five women walked behind him, veiled, tattooed in ancient symbols, all impossibly beautiful.
But none stirred the storm like the sixth.
Nyxara Venhart, 22, his only daughter, known as The Devil's Diamond.
Eyes like starless night. A flawless hourglass frame. Skin like moon-kissed bronze. Her reputation? A heartbreaker who once married a prince for five hours — just to burn his castle.
She walked straight to Ochieng.
> "I hear you break kingdoms," she said, voice like silk dipped in venom. "I break kings."
Maggy watched from the balcony above. She didn't cry. She didn't flinch. She simply turned… and called someone on a black crystal phone.
---
Meanwhile, the Council of Noir Citadel was thrown into chaos.
Velora Skye was accused of being a spy for the Eastern syndicate. She responded by buying the entire investigation board.
Ochieng, now the object of obsession between Velora, Maggy, Nyxara, and the ghost of Elira, sat at the center of a web of secrets.
At a high-stakes poker gala hosted by The Trillionaire Circle, drama exploded:
Jayden revealed himself in disguise and publicly challenged Milan's killer.
Zia Fontaine auctioned her fake love to the highest bidder — and was bought by Tielen.
Seth Mbeki and Jeff nearly dueled over a mystery briefcase linked to Ochieng's mother.
Linet, elegant and cold, danced with one of Ravana Mireblood's assassins — just to learn his scent.
At the height of the event, Ochieng stood, glass in hand.
> "What you all call power… I buried years ago," he said. "And I will bury you, too, if need be."
---
That night, Nyxara came to Ochieng's quarters.
Red velvet dress. One diamond heel. And a contract sealed with ash.
> "Marry me," she said. "For one month. No feelings. Just war."
She pressed her lips to his, leaving a scarlet mark on his neck.
> "Or I'll marry your enemy's brother… and fund every bullet shot your way."
He didn't answer.
But Maggy was already watching… from the rooftop.
And in a hidden town far away, a woman with a child opened an envelope with Ochieng's face on it.
The child… had his eyes.
The next morning, the fountain in the Promenade Garden turned red.
A body floated inside.
One of the five brides. Her ring finger cut off.
Ravana Mireblood arrived moments later, laughing softly.
> "Oh darling," she said to Nyxara. "You brought war to a place already burning."
Velora clenched her fists.
Maggy vanished.
And Elira, in a black cloak, whispered in the wind:
> "The gamble is no longer crimson. It's black. And the winner won't survive."
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