Meanwhile, in the lavish hall of the Kyle estate, glittering chandeliers illuminated a sea of elites in gowns and tuxedos. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the butler raised his voice:
"The birthday girl has arrived. Please welcome Miss Edina Kyle!"
All heads turned as Edina Kyle descended the grand staircase. She wore a white couture ball gown, the fabric shimmering like liquid silver under the lights. On her neck gleamed a bright emerald necklace—once belonging to my mother, stolen and flaunted like a prize.
Her hair was styled into perfect golden waves, her lips painted rose red, and her every movement dripped with practiced elegance. Tonight, she was the princess of the hall.
"Mum," she whispered as she reached Lucinda, who beamed with pride. "How do I look?"
Before Lucinda could answer, a deep voice cut through the room.
"Dazzling."
The crowd shifted as Jude Taylor, heir of the most powerful family in F Country, strode forward with leisurely confidence. Dressed in a tailored black suit, hands casually in his pockets, his smile was devastatingly charming.
"You look as beautiful as the moon, Miss Kyle," he said smoothly, taking her hand and pressing a gentlemanly kiss to her knuckles.
Edina blushed, giggling softly. "Young Master Taylor, it's an honor to have you here."
"Trust me, Miss Kyle," Jude replied with a bow, "the honor is all mine."
Lucinda's eyes gleamed with greed. "Young Master Taylor, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to my daughter?"
Jude smirked. "I have liked her for a long time. If it weren't for that contract marriage with Evie, I would have been with Edina long ago. Now that Evie is gone, I plan to marry Edina instead. Do you object?"
Lucinda's laugh was shameless. "Object? No, no—how could I stand in the way of true love?"
"Good," Jude said smoothly. "Then allow me to take Edina to meet my family tonight."
"Of course, I'll accompany you," Lucinda rushed.
Across the room, the crowd parted as Jude led Edina and Lucinda toward his parents, Raymond and Lynda Taylor, who stood draped in wealth itself—custom fabrics, jeweled accessories, and an aura of dominance that commanded the room.
Jude's voice was steady, filled with certainty.
"Mum, Dad—this is Edina. My fiancée."
The Taylors exchanged sharp glances. "Fiancée? Wasn't the contract with Evie Kyle?"
Jude scoffed. "You don't expect me to marry that discarded tramp, do you? She's not worthy of the Taylor name."
Edina curtsied sweetly. "In truth, I am the real first daughter. My father only announced otherwise to protect Evie's feelings. This contract was always meant to be mine."
Mr. Taylor's eyes softened. "So be it. Welcome to the family, Edina."
A sly smile tugged at Edina's lips. Evie, I told you. I'll take everything from you. Your wealth. Your family. Even your man.
But her victory was short-lived.
The banquet doors burst open. Dozens of armed men stormed inside, led by a figure with silver hair streaked black. Gunshots shattered the chandeliers, and the crowd screamed before being silenced at gunpoint.
"Everyone stay put!" the leader roared. "Disobey, and you leave here in a body bag!"
Gasps rose as he stepped forward. "The Kyle family. Come out."
Edina and Lucinda hesitated, then moved forward with forced grace.
"Your father offended our boss," the leader spat. "He ran. But debts must be paid—with your lives."
The gang leader's voice cut through the noise."Take them."
Rough hands grabbed Edina, dragging her forward. She thrashed wildly."No! Let go of me! What the hell do you want?"
The man smirked, his eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Not me. My boss. He wants your heads."
Her blood ran cold. "What?! Do you even know who I am? I'm the daughter-in-law of the Taylor family—the wealthiest in all of F Country! If you don't let me go, you won't even know how you died!"
The room erupted in mocking laughter.
"Boss Black," one of the men jeered, clutching his stomach, "she says she'll kill you. Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard?"
A young man with silver-streaked black hair—their leader—stepped forward. His gaze was razor sharp. "Tell me, blonde… do you even know who I work for? In the presence of my boss, your so-called Taylor family is nothing but trash."
Jude Taylor stepped out from the crowd, arrogance clinging to him like a second skin. His tailored suit and cold eyes radiated the air of a young master born of wealth. "This is my fiancée, the future daughter-in-law of the Taylor family. Who is your boss that dares to offend us?"
The leader's grin widened, devilish and merciless. "Dealing with your Taylor family is like crushing an ant."
Jude's jaw tightened. "Then tell me. Who is your boss that dares anger the Taylors?"
The man's eyes gleamed with pride. "My boss is the man behind chains of businesses across the globe. The royal prince of the underworld. The one they call the Underlord of all mafia. My boss—Sylius Griffen."
At the mention of his name, the hall fell silent. Jude froze, his face paling."Y-you… you're an ally of Sylius Griffen?" he stammered.
The leader tilted his head. "You'll find out soon enough… if you keep protecting her. My boss would be glad to add one more scapegoat."
Jude laughed weakly, though his voice cracked. "Ha… ha… No, no. We wouldn't dare disturb Mr. Sylius's business."
His mother, Lynda, quickly pulled him back, trembling. "Please, carry on. We mean no offense."
The leader's eyes flicked to Edina. "Take her to the boss."
"No—! I'll pay whatever my father owes!" Edina screamed, her voice breaking.
"I'm sorry, blonde." His tone dripped with mockery. "Even with your fiancé's riches, even with the combined fortune of your family's social circle, you couldn't repay even half this debt. The only payment accepted… is death. My boss wants your head."
One of the men chuckled darkly. "Or… perhaps Mr. Griffen would prefer her as his bride. She's a rare beauty—born from the stars."
Edina's eyes widened in horror. "No! I won't marry Mr. Griffen! They say he's a ruthless brute who hates women—a monster above fifty years old! I do not concede!"
Lucinda, her mother, clutched her arm desperately. "Then what choice do we have?"
"Mum," Edina hissed, panic mixing with calculation, "I'm not the only daughter. What about Evie?" Her voice lowered. "Just follow my lead."
She turned back to the leader, forcing a nervous laugh. "Mr. Griffen wants a Kyle, doesn't he? But we aren't Edward Kyle's family. Killing us won't change anything. He only values his wife's child—Evie Kyle. If you give him Evie, he'll accept her. She's willing… whether to marry or to die—whichever Mr. Griffen prefers."
The leader's brow arched sharply. "Do I look stupid to you?"
"No! Of course not!" Edina laughed awkwardly, her voice trembling.
His expression hardened. "My boss does not like women. He'd rather take your heads than a bride."
The air thickened. A sudden voice, deep and commanding, rolled through the room.
"Where is she?"
The words were like steel, drenched in dominance. Every man in the hall froze.
From the doorway, a tall, grim figure stepped into view. Draped in black, he moved with slow, lethal grace. His presence pressed down like a storm—suffocating, magnetic, divine.
His eyes, deep blue and star-bright like a soaring phoenix, burned beneath dark, messy hair tipped in fire-blue. A sharp jawline, edged brows—one marked by a thin scar—added danger to his breathtaking face. An earring in the shape of a cross glinted at his left ear, catching the dim light.
He was beauty carved by gods, wrapped in a darkness that demanded worship.
The gangster leader dropped to one knee instantly. "Boss."
The entire hall fell silent, hearts pounding.
This… this was Sylius Griffen. The king of the underworld. The man of legend. Unlike the rumors, he was no aging brute. He was beyond gorgeous, a living storm of power and mystery.
Edina's breath caught. She had just rejected him? The most beautiful man she had ever seen?
"Where is she?" Sylius asked again, his voice laced with a power that commanded obedience.
Edina stuttered, her lips trembling. "S-she… she works at an old café… in Odin Town…"
His gaze pierced into her soul, as though unraveling her lies.
"Black Spider," Sylius said calmly, addressing the leader without looking at him. "Roll out."
"Yes, Boss!" The reply was instant, reverent.
With a single command, the mafia king moved his pieces, and the room trembled under his reign.