The wine continued to flow, but the atmosphere in the private room had subtly shifted. The laughter that had once circled around Dante now thinned, replaced by a restless anticipation that hummed beneath every conversation.
“Did you hear?” someone whispered, leaning close to her companion. “Stephen Keel’s father was just appointed Chief of the district council.”
The effect was immediate.
“That explains everything,” another murmured. “No wonder Stephen walks like the city belongs to him.”
Harson’s name surfaced briefly, only to be dismissed just as quickly. “Harson’s achievements are impressive, sure. But business success fades. Political power doesn’t.”
Zain nodded vigorously. “Exactly. Companies collapse overnight. But when you control the council? You decide who rises and who disapp
