The laughter was loud, the music blaring through the air as the Harper and Sinclair families celebrated another monumental achievement. It was supposed to be a night of triumph. Ayzel Harper stood on the grand balcony overlooking the event, her sharp eyes scanning the room as she adjusted her sleek dress. She couldn't help but feel a sense of dread bubbling beneath the surface a feeling she had tried to ignore for weeks. It was the kind of unease you couldn't place, like a shadow lurking in the corner of your vision.

Her younger brother, Kai, leaned against the balcony's railing beside her, looking carefree as ever, with his characteristic grin. He never understood her worries. He was the type who lived for the thrill, the rush of excitement. "Relax, Ayzel. Everything's fine," he said, nudging her lightly.

"I know," she lied, offering him a forced smile. "It's just... too quiet."

But she was wrong. It was anything but quiet.

Inside the mansion, Haelyn was sitting in the reading corner quietly psychoanalysing people. That has turned out to be her favourite hobby these days it kept her entertained most of the time. She could sense that something was off she saw faces she had never seen before and this was a intimate party. Before she could tell someone about it Runa caught her attention. She entered the hall with her family looking amazing in a blue gown that complimented her short height. The moment she found haelyn she went towards her. The laughter and chatter masked the ominous presence of danger. What Ayzel couldn't see was the cold, calculating eyes of a rival mafia group scanning the room, biding their time. They had waited for this moment, for the announcement of Ayzel and Levi joining their families' businesses. The end of one chapter would bring the beginning of another—and not in the way anyone expected.

Across the room, Levi Sinclair, carefree and charming as always, was caught up in a conversation with Haelyn, who watched him with a mixture of fondness and frustration. She could sense the tension, the unspoken conflict swirling beneath his easy smile. He had always been the wild card, uncommitted to the legacy his family tried to bind him to.

Zaiden Sinclair, Levi's more serious and responsible cousin, kept a close eye on Ayzel, ensuring everything ran smoothly. His calm demeanor masked the storm of emotions brewing inside. Zaiden's loyalty to his family was unshakable—but his loyalty to Ayzel was what kept him grounded. His eyes flicked to Runa, standing nearby with a cautious smile, her playful nature hiding the hurt she had been quietly carrying for weeks.

None of them knew it yet, but their world was about to shatter. A single shot rang through the air, followed by chaos. The blood of their families stained the floor, lives were lost, and in an instant, the path they thought they'd be walking was erased. This was no longer just a fight for survival—it was a battle for revenge, trust, and the future they would now have to fight for.

In the aftermath, Ayzel would realize that the price of power was steep, and the bonds she once took for granted were the only things that could save them. But the damage had been done, and it was only the beginning of the war that would change them all.