THE SUICIDE

Chapter Four : The Empire Of Blood

The Delacroix name was more than just a surname — it was a brand, a legacy, and, to some, an untouchable empire. Though Juliet’s immediate family commanded attention, the larger Delacroix clan formed a network of wealth, politics, and power that stretched far beyond the borders of the country.

Mr. Delacroix was the crown jewel, but his siblings were equally formidable. His elder brother, Laurent Delacroix, served as a top-ranking diplomat in Europe, known for negotiating billion-dollar trade deals and advising prime ministers in private. Suave and strategic, Laurent was called

"the man with a velvet dagger" soft-spoken but deadly in negotiations.

The youngest brother, Antoine Delacroix, was the wild card. A media mogul with stakes in television networks and tech companies, his face was less often seen, but his influence was everywhere. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, quiet scandals, and untouchable status—protected by money, secrets, and powerful alliances.

Mrs. Delacroix’s siblings were no less influential. Her sister, Isabelle Marchand, sat on the board of several international fashion houses and was often featured on the covers of luxury magazines. Her brother, Colonel Étienne Moreau, was a decorated military figure, stationed abroad but often seen at elite summits and state dinners.

Family gatherings were less about love and more about leverage. When the Delacroixs came together, it wasn’t around a dinner table—it was around strategy. Decisions were made in private lounges, behind thick mahogany doors, where power was passed like wine and secrets were currency.

To the public, they were icons—admired, envied, and sometimes feared. Presidents called them for counsel. CEOs sought their endorsement. Journalists dared not print their flaws without risk.

To Juliet, they were simply “Uncle” and “Aunt,” though some of them looked at her with eyes that made her skin crawl.

Behind the designer suits and diplomatic smiles, there were cracks no one was allowed to see. And within those cracks, a darkness grew—one that would eventually reach Juliet in ways no one could imagine.