Darius's expression shifted subtly—a cold smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he heard the battering against the ballroom doors intensify. He pulled out his phone, typing a quick message to Aria who remained concealed in the shadows."Open the doors. But stay hidden. Don't reveal yourself."The response came back immediately: "Understood. Opening now."Darius pocketed his phone and looked toward the barricaded entrance. "It's not that we're scared," he said quietly, as if explaining to himself or perhaps to the universe. "But we have loved ones now. People to protect. Exposing Aria publicly would put her at risk. Would make her a target."The barricade—heavy tables and chairs that had been pushed against the doors—suddenly shifted. From the shadows near the entrance, Aria's invisible hands worked quickly, moving furniture aside, clearing the obstruction without being seen by anyone in the ballroom.The guests were too focused on the doors and the imminent breach to notice the

Josh Romano stepped forward, his expression showing determination mixed with genuine concern. He'd been watching this entire situation unfold, had witnessed Darius systematically dismantle Donald's security team, had seen his sister's relief at Darius's intervention. But now, with their father present and fifty armed guards filling the ballroom, the dynamics had shifted dangerously."Master Darius," Josh said, his voice urgent but respectful. "You need to leave. Right now. While there's still time."Darius turned to look at his former student, one eyebrow raised slightly. "Josh—""I'm serious," Josh interrupted, moving closer and lowering his voice so only Darius, Jessica, and a few nearby guests could hear. "I don't care how well you can fight. I don't care that you took down Donald's entire security team. My father's presence changes everything."He glanced toward Raymond, who was still assessing the situation with those cold, calculating eyes that had intimidated countless enemies

Donald's hysterical shouting continued to echo through the ballroom, his voice rising higher with each word, his vindictive excitement at having reinforcements making him increasingly bold and obnoxious."You're FINISHED, Kane! FINISHED! You think you're so tough? So powerful? Wait until my father's guards get their hands on you! Wait until they break every—"Darius's irritation—which he'd been controlling carefully throughout this entire ordeal—finally reached its limit.In one fluid motion, too fast for most people in the room to track properly, Darius moved. His hand shot out, grabbing Donald by the collar and yanking hi

The silence that fell over the grand ballroom was suffocating. Garrick Wesley and Raymond Romano stood frozen, their faces drained of color as they stared at the impossible scene before them.Fifty of their best guards—trained professionals, armed and dangerous—lay scattered across the marble floor like broken toys. Some groaned in pain, clutching shattered limbs. Others simply stared at the ceiling in shock, unable to comprehend their defeat.And in the center of it all stood Darius Kane, his left hand still pinning Donald Wesley to the ground as if the heir were nothing more than an insect beneath his palm. His breathing remained even, his posture relaxed. Not a single bead of sweat touched his brow."This... this is impossible," Garrick finally managed to whisper, his voice cracking.Raymond's jaw worked soundlessly, opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. His mind simply couldn't process what his eyes had witnessed. One man. One goddamn man had obliterated their entire se

Raymond Romano remained on his knees, his head bowed in what appeared to be complete submission. His shoulders heaved with each breath, and tears continued to stream down his face in a pitiful display that had the entire ballroom transfixed.To every observer, it seemed genuine—the complete breakdown of a once-powerful man brought low by forces beyond his comprehension.But deep within Raymond's mind, behind the mask of tears and desperation, a different story was unfolding. His thoughts churned with dark calculations and bitter rage.This isn't over. Not by a long shot. Once he lets me go, once I'm back on my feet, I'll find out who he really is. I'll discover his weaknesses. And then... then I'll make him pay for this humiliation. I'll destroy everything he loves, everyone he cares about. I'll make him watch as I tear his world apart piece by piece.A cold sneer spread across Darius's face as he looked down at the kneeling mafia boss. His eyes narrowed, glinting with something that