Chapter 9: The Gala of Shadows

The Gala of Shadows

Tavara's most exclusive evening glittered beneath a diamond sky.

The Virellis Foundation Charity Gala — an annual masquerade that brought together CEOs, billionaires, aristocrats, and power players from five continents. But this year, beneath the laughter and champagne, war was being waged in silk and silence.

Damien Grayson adjusted the cufflinks on his tailored black tuxedo, stepping out of his custom Vantablack sedan. A hint of tension traced his jaw. The invitation had come from the Virellis Family — one of Tavara's oldest and most ruthless business dynasties, long-standing rivals of the Grayson Empire.

Why now?

He strode into the grand ballroom, eyes sweeping the crowd with calculated ease. He saw them — the sharks in tailored suits. Gregory Lennox from Chicago, known for hostile takeovers. Marissa DuPont from France, heir to a pharmaceutical empire. And most notably, Lucian Virellis, the golden boy of Tavara's elite — and Damien's ex-business partner.

Lucian raised his champagne glass when he saw Damien. That smug, aristocratic smirk hadn't changed in a decade.

But Damien didn't approach him.

Instead, he scanned the crowd for someone far more important.

Nora.

She entered moments later, dressed in a midnight-blue gown with a slit so elegant it dared the stars to compete. Her face was hidden behind a feathered silver mask, but Damien knew those eyes.

Their gazes locked. Only for a second. But it sent a current through the room.

Neither approached.

Neither spoke.

Not yet.

Nora was here on another mission.

She had discovered that Virellis Corp had quietly acquired minority shares in Ecliptica Biotech — the same company linked to Ashbringer's rumored bio-weapons program in Ontario. Her instincts screamed that tonight wasn't about charity. It was about signaling dominance.

She drifted through the crowd, her ears tuned to whispered conversations.

That's when she caught a familiar voice — Lucian.

"…if the Graysons think they still run Tavara, they're living in the past. My father might have started the empire, but I'll bury his legacy and take theirs with it."

A bitter smile touched her lips. She now understood the feud wasn't just about money — it was about legacy, betrayal, and vengeance.

The Virellis and the Graysons were once allies.

Until Lucian's father tried to steal confidential trade intel from Damien's late mother, Emilia Grayson — the woman who built Grayson Global from a small shipping business into a trillion-dollar global syndicate spanning Canada, Germany, and the U.K.

Emilia's sudden death was officially due to a cardiac event.

But Damien always suspected foul play.

And now, Lucian had returned to finish what his father started.

Nora's thoughts were interrupted by a soft tap on her shoulder. She turned, ready.

It was Damien.

"I didn't expect you here," he said calmly, eyes unreadable.

"I could say the same," she replied.

They stood there, surrounded by whispers and envy.

"I'm watching Virellis," she added, voice low. "He's planning something."

Damien's expression didn't shift, but she noticed the twitch in his jaw.

"I know," he said. "And I plan to end it before he does."

Before she could reply, Lucian approached.

"Grayson," he greeted, tone smooth as poisoned wine. "Still brooding in corners?"

"And you're still talking too much," Damien replied with a sharp smile.

Lucian's eyes briefly flicked to Nora, recognition flickering.

"Ms. Lane. Stunning as ever. The North Tavara hospitals sing your praises."

Nora returned a cool smile. "Pity I can't say the same about your labs."

Lucian laughed — but his eyes narrowed.

As he walked away, Nora whispered, "He knows something."

Damien nodded. "They all do. But they don't know what we're capable of."

Together, they stared across the ballroom, watching shadows move among kings and killers.

The real war hadn't begun.

But when it did, Tavara would burn before Damien let his legacy fall.

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