MASKED ALLEGIANCE

chapter 1

The heavy rain hammered against the glass windows of the grand hotel ballroom. Inside, the air smelled of expensive perfume and expensive wine. Hundreds of guests filled the room in their finest clothes, laughing and talking in loud voices. But Victor did not care about any of them.

He stood near the far corner of the room, half hidden by a thick velvet curtain. His dark eyes scanned the crowd with cold focus. He wore a sharp black suit that fit his tall frame perfectly. To anyone else, he looked like a wealthy businessman enjoying a high class party. But Victor was not here to celebrate.

He was here for revenge.

A soft beep came from the small device inside his pocket. He slipped his hand into his coat and pulled out a sleek black phone. The screen glowed in the dim light. A single message flashed across the display.

The target has just entered through the side VIP entrance.

Victor pocketed the phone and took a slow breath. For five long years, he had waited for this exact night. Five years since the men who called themselves the board of directors stole everything his family owned. Five years since his father lost his health, his company, and eventually his life.

The man responsible was standing out there right now, laughing with politicians and smiling for the flashing cameras. Arthur Vance.

Victor stepped out from behind the curtain and walked smoothly across the marble floor. He kept his head up and his face completely calm. Nobody paid him any attention. In a room full of powerful people, everyone was too busy trying to look important to notice a quiet predator moving through the crowd.

He reached the center of the hall just as the music paused. The loud chatter began to quiet down as the host of the charity gala walked up to the small elevated stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, the host spoke into the microphone with a bright smile. We have a very special guest who has made this entire night possible. Please put your hands together for the chairman of Vance Holdings, Mr. Arthur Vance.

The crowd erupted into loud applause. A wave of people turned their heads toward the grand staircase on the right side of the room.

Arthur Vance appeared at the top of the stairs. He was an older man with silver hair combed back neatly and an expensive custom suit. He waved at the clapping crowd like a king greeting his loyal subjects. He looked proud. He looked untouchable.

Victor watched him walk down the stairs step by step. His jaw tightened and his fingers curled into fists inside his pockets. Every step Arthur took felt like a reminder of the pain his family had suffered.

Arthur reached the bottom of the stage and took the microphone from the host. Thank you, thank you all so much for coming tonight, Arthur began his voice booming through the speakers. We believe in giving back to the community and building a better future together.

While everyone else was listening to the speech, Victor moved closer to the front. He slipped past a waiter carrying a tray of champagne glasses. He was only a few feet away from the edge of the stage now.

Suddenly, Arthur looked out over the crowd. His eyes swept across the room, stopping for a brief second.

His gaze locked directly onto Victor.

The warm smile on Arthur face froze instantly. The color drained from his cheeks as his eyes went wide with sudden shock. He lowered the microphone, staring at Victor as if he had just seen a ghost from the grave.

Victor did not look away. Instead, he raised his hand slowly and gave Arthur a cold, deliberate smile.

Arthur dropped the microphone. It hit the wooden floor with a loud, ringing crash that echoed through the silent ballroom.