A long, suffocating silence hung over the main hall of the Ray Family estate in the Imperial Capital.
Finally, a voice rang out from the head of the table. It was ancient, heavy, and filled with a terror that chilled the blood of the branch leaders.
"This matter ends here," the Patriarch of the Ray Family announced, his voice trembling slightly.
"Immediately release a statement to the public: Tiger Ray's villa was destroyed due to a gas pipeline explosion. Contact all relevant departments in Northriver and ensure the case is closed as an accidental gas leak. Suppress all other rumors."
"Go. Do it now!"
The heads of the nine branches looked at each other in bewilderment. Their kin had been slaughtered, their prestige trampled, yet the Patriarch was ordering a cover-up? But none dared t
