Chapter 20: The Game Begins

Liam adjusted the cuffs of his black tailored suit, his fingers brushing against the smooth texture of the diamond card in his pocket. The weight of the gazes around him didn't bother him—he had been stared down, mocked, and underestimated his entire life. But tonight was different. Tonight, he was stepping into the lion's den not as prey, but as someone who could tear it apart from the inside.

The velvet case was placed on a polished mahogany table at the center of the room. The air grew thick with anticipation as Vincent Lockwood rested his hand on it, his movements slow and deliberate. His sharp, calculating eyes locked onto Liam's, as if testing whether the young man would flinch.

He didn't.

"Inside this case," Vincent began, his voice even, "is more than just wealth. It's power. It's control. It's a place at this table." He let the words settle, watching the shifting expressions around the room. Some men leaned forward with barely concealed hunger; others crossed their arms, skeptical, waiting to see how this would play out.

Liam remained motionless, his poker face unwavering.

Seraphine Duval, still by his side, sipped her wine with an amused glint in her eyes. "It's always the same," she murmured. "People acting like this is a simple auction. But you know better, don't you?"

Liam tilted his head slightly. "It's never about the money."

She smirked. "Good answer."

Vincent finally unlatched the case, revealing an array of six cards—each representing a different level of influence in the elite world that controlled the undercurrents of society.

Base. Silver. Gold. Platinum. Black Deluxe. Diamond.

Liam's eyes flickered over them, but he already knew which one was his.

"This is how we determine who gets a say," Vincent announced. "And I believe we have a new player tonight."

Whispers spread like wildfire. Some disguised their curiosity with indifference, while others outright scoffed at the notion of Liam stepping into their world. A few already despised him, not because of anything he had done, but because he represented change.

Maximilian Cortland chuckled from his seat near the head of the table. "A boy who was kicked out by his own so-called family now thinks he can sit at ours?" His voice was laced with mockery. "How poetic."

Liam didn't react. He simply stepped forward, meeting Maximilian's condescending gaze with cool detachment. "Funny how I still managed to get a seat while others had to beg for one."

A ripple of laughter passed through the crowd, some amused by his boldness, others waiting for the inevitable backlash. Maximilian's smirk faltered for half a second before he leaned back in his chair, raising his glass. "Let's see if you can keep it, then."

Vincent's lips twitched, barely hiding his amusement. He gestured to the cards. "Liam Montgomery, you've been granted access to the table, but tell me—what do you think you deserve?"

Liam didn't hesitate. He reached forward and picked up the Diamond card.

A hush fell over the room.

Choosing the Diamond card wasn't just a statement—it was a challenge. It meant he wasn't just here to participate; he was here to rule.

Maximilian let out a low whistle. "Bold."

Seraphine, standing behind Liam, chuckled softly. "He's not here to play small, gentlemen."

Vincent studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then let's see if you can hold your ground."

A sudden loud bang echoed through the hall as the main doors slammed open. A group of men in tailored suits stormed in, their expressions grim. At the center was a man Liam recognized immediately—Nathaniel Graves, a ruthless power broker who controlled a vast underground network.

His cold eyes swept across the room before locking onto Vincent. "We have a problem."

Liam's grip tightened around the Diamond card.

The room tensed as Nathaniel Graves took slow, deliberate steps toward the center of the gathering. His presence alone was enough to shift the atmosphere from one of calculated power plays to something far more dangerous.

Vincent Lockwood remained calm, his fingers still resting lightly on the open velvet case. "Nathaniel," he greeted smoothly, "I assume this is urgent?"

Nathaniel's gaze flickered over the assembled elites before settling on Liam. His expression was unreadable, but Liam could feel the weight of his scrutiny. He had seen eyes like that before—ones that measured a person not by their past, but by their potential threat.

"Very," Nathaniel said. His voice was sharp, cutting through the murmurs that had begun among the guests. "We have a situation that concerns all of us, but particularly our newest addition."

Liam didn't react outwardly, but his mind sharpened. He had expected resistance, but not this soon.

Vincent arched an eyebrow. "And what exactly is this situation?"

Nathaniel took another step closer, his men fanning out subtly to cover the exits. "Someone's been making moves in the underworld—big moves. Entire chains of businesses bought overnight. Silent takeovers of key suppliers. And just this morning, a high-ranking figure in one of my casinos went missing."

A few gasps echoed through the room.

Vincent remained unshaken. "Do you have a name?"

Nathaniel's lips curled into something between a smirk and a warning. "That's the problem. Whoever they are, they're ghosts. No trace. No connections. Just results."

Liam tilted his head slightly. "And why do you think this concerns me?"

Nathaniel let out a dark chuckle. "Because the timing is too perfect. A boy, kicked out by his supposed family, returns with an air of mystery and enough confidence to claim a Diamond card?" His eyes narrowed. "Either you're behind this, or you're about to be caught in the middle of something much bigger than you realize."

Silence gripped the room.

Seraphine sipped her wine, eyes flickering between Liam and Nathaniel. "Oh, this just got interesting."

Liam exhaled slowly, then placed the Diamond card back on the table, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. He met Nathaniel's gaze head-on, his voice steady. "I don't waste time on games I don't control." He leaned forward slightly. "But if someone is moving pieces on the board, I'd rather know who's playing."

Nathaniel studied him for a moment longer, then smirked. "Good answer."

Vincent chuckled. "Well, gentlemen, it seems we have a mystery on our hands." He closed the velvet case with a decisive snap. "And I, for one, am very interested in how this unfolds."

The night was far from over. The real game had just begun.