System Check-In: Location – Black Tower, Ballroom Level
Daily Check-In Successful
Spending Bonus: $3.2M used in custom tailoring, chef imports, live musical rights
Return Multiplier Activated: $14.6M via media licensing and underground syndicate donations
System Bonus: Event Style Perk "Masquerade Reign" Activated
– While hosting a masked event, all system-flagged allies and enemies are emotionally exposed
– New skill unlocked: "Face Beneath the Mask"
→ Can identify hidden agendas through voice inflection, breath patterns, and movement
Saturday — 8:41 PM — The Masked Ball Begins
The entire top three floors of the Black Tower had transformed.
No cameras. No rules. Only masks, luxury, and heat.
Every guest wore something custom.
Every corridor lit like a dream.
And Damon?
He descended the grand staircase wearing a black silk suit lined with silver thread — and a mask carved from obsidian glass, shaped like a crown.
ARCHAIOS spoke into his comm silently:
"Foreign diplomats: 2.
Armed guests: 7.
Women watching you for more than 5 seconds: 38.
Love interests currently present: 4.
Unknown emotion spike detected in Sasha Maren."
New Arrival: Ranya Iskandar
Daughter of the Jordanian Prime Minister
Oil-rich, Oxford-educated, dangerous as diamonds
Wore white silk with a half-lace mask, lips painted crimson
Rumored to have killed a prince in self-defense — and walked free
Walked straight to Damon like the room belonged to her
"I was told you don't kneel to anyone," she said.
"But I don't want you on your knees.
I want you on the throne. And I'll back you to the end of the world to watch it burn."
System Alert – New Romance Thread: Ranya Iskandar
– Initial Impact: 87% Physical Draw
– Loyalty Potential: 72%
– Danger Level: Volatile Strategic Ally
Elsewhere – Sasha's Emotional Fracture
She watched it all from the second-floor landing.
Ranya touching his shoulder.
Elina still close.
Arielle clapping back at guests who whispered too loud.
Her hands trembled.
Her earpiece buzzed.
"Status update?" the FBI handler asked.
She looked down at Damon — then took off her earpiece.
Dropped it into her wine.
And whispered,
"You just lost your best agent."
Nova Returns
She hadn't shown her face in 24 hours.
Until now.
She entered unannounced.
No mask.
Only fury in red velvet and heels that cut the floor.
People stepped aside like the air cracked.
Damon turned.
She walked up slowly, silent, deadly.
Then whispered:
"I'm still yours.
Even when I hate you for it."
System Update – Nova Cross (Reconnected)
Loyalty: Unstable – 38%
Romance: 91% (Spike Active)
Status: Re-forged — Under Observation
Final Moment — Midnight Approaches
Damon stood above the ballroom as ARCHAIOS updated silently:
"Your empire pulses.
Your lovers orbit.
Your enemies hide behind drinks.
And your past…
is coming up the elevator."