As I stood in the bathroom, my reflection staring back at me, the faint hum of my phone vibrating on the counter cut through the silence. A number I didn't recognize flashed across the screen. My hand hovered over it for a second before I swiped to answer.

"Hello?" My voice was steady, but something in me tensed.

A voice crackled through the line, soft but familiar. "Hello... is this Dio?"

I froze, recognition hitting me like a slow wave. Celine Mørk. The woman whose life I'd just shattered hours ago.

"Yes," I said, my tone guarded. "This is Dio."

There was a pause, heavy with unspoken words, the kind that makes the air between you feel thick. I could hear the faint sound of her breathing on the other end, like she was summoning the courage to speak.

"About what you said earlier today... Can we... meet and discuss this?" Her voice wavered, almost pleading, but with an edge of restraint, as though she wasn't quite ready to let her vulnerability slip fully into the open.

My eyes flicked back to the mirror, catching my own reflection—jaw clenched, shoulders tight. I didn't need this right now, not when everything was already teetering on the edge.

"I'm not available right now," I replied, my voice calm but firm, forcing my thoughts into control. "But I'll call you tomorrow, and we can set up a time."

Another pause, this one longer, as if she was weighing my words. I could almost feel the turmoil on her end of the line, the tension stretching across the distance.

"...Alright," she finally said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Tomorrow, then."

I ended the call, letting the silence hang in the air as I stared at the phone in my hand. The weight of what just happened didn't sit heavy on my conscience—it felt more like a quiet satisfaction. The plan was in motion, and every piece was falling exactly where it needed to be.

Celine deserved better. A woman like her, caught in the web of deceit spun by her own husband, shouldn't be left to suffer. I wasn't just meddling—I was offering her a way out. A part of me believed that, despite the ruthless way I went about it. Lars Mørk didn't deserve her, and if this confrontation led to his downfall, so be it. She needed to see the truth, and I'd shown her that.

I stared at the mirror, my fingers gripping the edge of the sink as I took a slow, deliberate breath. The reflection looking back at me was calm, too calm. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of my lips, but I quickly let it fade. Tonight wasn't about showing my hand too early.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket, feeling the weight of the call settle in, but I pushed it aside. There were more important things to focus on now. The room felt quiet, but not empty—there was a tension in the air, a subtle anticipation that hummed beneath the surface.

I adjusted my collar, my eyes flicking to the door. Whatever was coming next, I wasn't about to let anyone see it coming. Not Aunt Pranee, not Aria, not anyone. My plan was in motion, and that was all that mattered.

With one last glance at the mirror, I straightened my blazer and stepped out of the bathroom, the calm still settled deep within me, ready to meet the night head-on.

The sharp ring of the doorbell cut through the chatter, pulling everyone's attention toward the front door. I glanced in its direction, feeling the shift in the air. My friends had arrived, right on schedule.

"That'll be them," I said, the words slipping out smoothly as I pushed away from the table. The moment felt charged, like a current humming just beneath the surface. I was ready.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As I moved toward the door, I caught a glimpse of Aria rising from her seat, her movements a little too quick, a little too tense. "I'll come with you," she said, the edge in her voice betraying more than just curiosity.

I didn't break stride, simply nodding as she fell in step beside me. Her presence didn't change anything; the night was still mine to shape.

***

The elevator descended slowly, the tension between us thick as the silence stretched. Aria glanced at me, her lips pressing into a thin line before she finally spoke, her voice dripping with condescension.

"You know, Dio, you really should think about getting a real job," she began, looking me up and down as if assessing my worth. "Sales jobs? They're for people who can't do anything else. It's unstable, and honestly, a bit pathetic. You should aim for something more... secure, like me."

I kept my eyes forward, but I could feel the heat of her words trying to sting. She was just like her mother—always looking down on me, always thinking she was better than everyone else. I let out a low breath, the smirk fading into something sharper.

"You really think you're better than everyone, huh, Aria?" I said, my tone calm but cutting. "Just like your mother."

Her expression shifted instantly. Her face tightened, and her brows drew together as anger flashed across her eyes. "I'm just trying to give you some advice, Dio," she snapped, her voice harsher now. "I'm older than you. I've lived more, experienced more. Maybe you should listen for once."

I glanced at Aria, her posture rigid, her lips pursed. "You don't need to worry about my job," I said, my voice steady. "I've got things under control. What about you? I hear your boyfriend's quite a bit older. Must be an interesting arrangement."

Aria's eyes narrowed in anger, but she kept her mouth shut, her face visibly turning red. The air around us seemed to crackle with tension, and I couldn't help but see through the mask of her usual confidence. It was clear she was uncomfortable talking about this.

We reached the front door, and I could hear the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses from within. I turned to Aria, the edge of my smile almost imperceptible. "Let's put the rest of this conversation on hold. I've got guests to tend to."

As the door swung open, I stepped aside to reveal the waiting crowd outside. The evening air was crisp, and the soft glow of the building's exterior lights cast an inviting hue over the scene.

"Welcome, everyone!" I called out, my voice carrying a note of genuine warmth. I glanced at Aria, who looked slightly taken aback but quickly masked her surprise with a polite smile.

Onio, wearing a sharply tailored navy suit that hugged his frame with effortless grace, was the first to step forward. His eyes sparkled with the familiar confidence that marked his presence. "Evening, Dio. Quite the impressive setup you've got here."

Behind him, Lars adjusted his sleek black tie, his suit impeccable down to the last detail. "Good to see you, Dio," he said, offering a firm handshake. "Heard this evening's going to be quite the affair."

Ray and Nora were next, their dresses and suits capturing the evening's elegance. Ray's charcoal gray suit was complemented by a matching vest, while Nora's deep emerald gown flowed gracefully, accentuating her every movement. "Hey Dio," Ray greeted, his voice tinged with excitement. "Looking forward to tonight!"

Mia and Evelyn, each dressed to the nines, followed. Mia's gown, a deep royal blue, shimmered subtly as she moved, while Evelyn's silver dress caught the light, adding a touch of sparkle to the night. "Hey Dio, hope we're not too late," Mia said with a bright smile.

Maria arrived with Mr. Johan, their elegant attire a testament to their style. Maria's red dress was both bold and refined, while Mr. Johan's dark suit spoke of classic sophistication. "Evening, Dio," Maria said, her eyes glimmering with curiosity. "This place looks fantastic."

"Thank you all for coming," I said, stepping back to let them enter. "I'm glad you could make it. Let's get inside and enjoy the evening."

Aria stood at my side, her shoulders tense and her eyes darting nervously between our guests and me. Her forced smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she greeted each person individually. As the group made their way inside, the sound of excited chatter filled the hall, adding to the already tangible energy in the room. Everyone seemed eager for the night's events to begin...

Dio Stat's Info:

Lvl: 14

Skill Count: 2 (Key selling point analyze) (Analyze)

Strength:35

Agility:24

Intelligence:23

Endurance:21

Charm:23

Dio influence, power & riches:

Money - 5million kroner.

Associate - 7

Asset - 0

Digital Asset - 250 BTC

Goons - 10

Car - 1

Guard - 0

Employers -25

Company - 1