Chapter 17: The Silent Puppet Master

The grandeur of the Kingsleys' gala was breathtaking—golden chandeliers, marble floors, and a sea of elites dressed in designer perfection. Power pulsed through the room, a gathering of the wealthiest and most influential figures in the city. Deals were being whispered over champagne, and silent wars were waged behind polite smiles.

But the true ruler of the night was the one no one even noticed.

Chris moved through the ballroom in a simple black uniform, effortlessly fading into the background. To everyone, he was just another worker—a nameless server clearing empty glasses and refilling champagne flutes.

And that was exactly how he wanted it.

Across the room, Ethan Blackwood stood at the center of attention. As the feared and respected Chairman of Blackwood Corporation, his name alone commanded admiration and intimidation. He spoke in measured tones, nodding at the right people, shaking hands with billionaires, and making decisions that could shift markets.

But none of them knew the truth.

Ethan was a face, a carefully crafted illusion. The world saw him as a titan of industry, an untouchable figure in the business world. But in reality, he was nothing compared to the man quietly observing from the sidelines.

Chris was the one pulling the strings.

Not a single person in this ballroom knew that their investments, their companies, even their futures—were already under his control. He didn't need recognition. He didn't need the spotlight. Power worked best in the shadows, and Chris wielded it with deadly precision.

His eyes flickered toward the center of the ballroom, where Skylar was locked in a slow dance with Damian Kingsley. She wore an unreadable expression, but Chris saw past the act. She wasn't enjoying this. She was here because she had no choice.

Ethan, standing among the elites, caught Chris's gaze from across the room. It was a silent acknowledgment between them.

Chris smirked. He lifted the tray in his hand and walked past billionaires who had no idea they were standing in front of their real master.

The world feared Ethan Blackwood.

But if they ever discovered the truth…

They'd realize their greatest fear was still hidden in plain sight.

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