Chapter 18: Smoke and Silver

**Chapter Eighteen: Smoke and Silver**

---

They threw a celebration in Nairobi for Jayden.

The media called it **"Victory Day."**

The president sent a private letter of commendation.

Three global CEOs requested meetings.

And across Africa, youth groups praised him as *the future in flesh*.

But Jayden didn't smile much.

Because he knew what most didn't:

**Smoke always follows the fire.**

---

The gala was held at the Lexington Foundation's new Nairobi headquarters.

Silver chandeliers. White roses. Blue velvet banners embroidered with the Lexington lion crest.

Jayden wore a tailored midnight suit with steel cufflinks—his father's. He didn't bring a date. Didn't walk in with friends.

He walked in alone.

Every step echoed.

Every eye followed.

Inside, dignitaries lined up to shake his hand. Ministers, mayors, ambassadors.

"You've changed this country."

"You've restored faith in leadership."

"You're the future of African enterprise."

Jayden nodded politely, eyes scanning the room.

But his thoughts were elsewhere.

---

Upstairs, Leona monitored the event from the security command post.

"Eyes on twelve entrances. Rooftops clear. Signal intercepts stable," she reported.

Faith, at her side, looked uneasy.

"Does he look... tense to you?"

Leona replied flatly. "He's always tense. That's how he stays alive."

Faith swallowed. "Still. Tonight feels…"

"Off?"

Faith nodded.

Leona narrowed her eyes. "Increase the silent sweeps."

---

Downstairs, Jayden's instincts were already flaring.

Something was wrong.

Not loud. Not obvious. But wrong.

The air tasted different.

Then he saw it.

A man near the champagne table.

Dressed like catering staff—but he had no staff ID.

Jayden's training kicked in.

He moved smoothly across the ballroom, weaving through conversation like a ghost in a mirror.

The man noticed—turned fast—but Jayden was faster.

He grabbed him by the collar, dragging him into the stairwell.

"Who sent you?" Jayden growled.

The man stammered. "No one—I was just—"

Jayden slammed him against the wall.

"Who?"

The man coughed. Dropped a tiny silver vial.

Jayden kicked it away.

Leo's voice crackled in his earpiece. "Jayden. Back hallway. Go. Now."

Jayden tossed the man to two waiting guards and ran.

---

In the hallway behind the kitchen, Leo was crouched over something metallic.

A smoke grenade.

Disarmed.

"No explosion," Leo said. "Just gas. Would've knocked out half the board."

Jayden stared at it.

"Someone tried to turn my victory into a scandal."

Leo nodded grimly. "And pin it on you."

Jayden's eyes sharpened.

"Who the hell is still playing games?"

---

Back in the command post, Faith zoomed in on the catering list.

Three names were forged.

One name stood out: **Zuri Imara.**

A hacker. Former activist. Vanished two years ago after exposing a government bank fraud.

Jayden's eyes lit with recognition.

"I know that name."

Leona scrolled quickly through old files.

"She worked for the Serpents... but disappeared before they fell. We assumed she fled the country."

Jayden turned away.

"No. She stayed. And now she's reminding me: even when the ghosts are buried, their smoke stays behind."

---

The rest of the gala passed without incident.

Jayden gave a short speech:

> "I didn't come here to be worshipped. I came here to warn you—change is never safe. And the moment you think the war is over… that's when the next one begins."

Applause roared.

But Jayden didn't wait for the photos.

He exited through the back.

Rain had started again.

As he walked alone to the black armored SUV, he whispered:

> "Smoke and silver. She's watching."

---

That night, the Legacy Guard launched **Operation Silverwatch**—a full scan of every known affiliate, ghost account, and buried identity connected to the Serpent Network.

They found nothing.

No trail.

No digital dust.

Only one message left behind on a private Lexington server:

> **"Long live the ashes." – Z.I.**

---

At 3 a.m., Jayden stood on the balcony outside his room, watching the rain streak against the bulletproof glass.

His phone buzzed.

**Message from an unknown number:**

> *You wear the crown like it's armor.*

> *But armor cracks.*

> *See you soon, king.*

> —Z

Jayden stared at the screen.

No fear.

Just clarity.

He looked out into the dark city, his words lost in the wind:

> "Then I'll build a kingdom of flame. And you'll drown in the smoke."

---

**End of Chapter Eighteen**