Chapter Two-hundred Sixteen: The Great Crimson Heist

Chapter 216

The Great Crimson Heist

Celeste, Jaxon, and Fabien met at Percy’s bar with Professor Stewart Murphy present. Professor Murphy reddened when he saw Jaxon and Fabien.

Prof. Murphy: “I didn’t realize we were bringing an entourage of sexy men.”

He chuckled. Percy grinned.

Percy: “Focus on the mission, darling.”

He waved his hand dismissively at him. Fabien slipped off his flip-flops and rested his bare feet on Professor Murphy’s lap. Stewart reddened and gulped. Percy sniggered.

Jaxon: “What the fuck are you doing?!”

He hissed.

Celeste: “Begging to be tickled.”

She grinned.

Percy: “Since Fabien rendered him speechless, here is the mission.”

~

Minerva had both Desiree and Jordi in her office. She rested her feet on a soldier while Alfie stood back.

Minerva: “Princess Ruby Diamond is coming to Pink Top City. She is coming to present ‘The Crimson Sovereign’ diamond to special guests.”

She said firmly.

~

Robin sat in her nightclub, Foxy Robin’s, with Gabriel, Darrel, and Oscar before her.

Robin: “The Crimson Sovereign diamond is a rare red diamond. It’s an asscher cut.”

~

Professor Murphy caressed Fabien’s feet.

Prof. Murphy: “This is a deep, square cut with ‘stepped’ facets. It looks like a hall of mirrors and feels incredibly regal and architectural.”

Jaxon: “A red diamond exists?”

He asked. Professor Murphy nodded and gasped as Fabien scrunched his toes over his groin. Jaxon rolled his eyes.

Celeste: “What are we supposed to do?”

Percy cleared his throat.

Percy: “Take the diamond, my dear.”

He smiled and wiggled his fingers.

Celeste: “There’s going to be lots of security. Can’t you get Trevor to teleport in and take it?”

She asked. Percy drew a short breath.

Percy: “Alas, the entire gala has special devices that suppress teleportation.”

Celeste: “And the client?”

Percy: “Since the diamond cannot be legally bought or sold, he wants it for himself and will pay the highest price to whoever can obtain it.”

He explained.

~

Jordi: “So he has others who are coming for this diamond?”

He raised an eyebrow. Minerva nodded soberly.

Minerva: “Alistair Thorne is an eccentric billionaire who must have this diamond at all costs.”

She smiled at Jordi and Desiree.

Minerva: “If you can’t get the diamond, get Jiro for me. Ideally, I want both.”

She cackled. Jordi felt a sense of unease.

~

Gabriel: “So, where is this diamond, Mistress?”

He drawled.

Robin: “The Crystalline Hall, of course. You can only get in through special invitations. Fortunately, I was sent one.”

Darrel: “And I have a way of sneaking us all in.”

He beamed.

~

Minerva: “You two will be my plus two as security. I was invited personally by the princess.”

She smirked. Jordi raised an eyebrow. He pointed to the invitation.

Jordi: “No, you weren’t. That invitation was addressed to Stefano.”

He corrected her. Minerva rolled her eyes.

Minerva: “Yes, this whole mission was for Stefano and his two dumplings, but don’t you believe this is better in our pockets?”

She smirked.

~

Percy: “Thanks to the lovely Etsuko, I have forged invitations for you people.”

He smiled and handed invitations to Celeste, Jaxon, and Fabien.

Prof. Murphy: “Sir, was that necessary? The client already drew up invitations for them.”

He held up invitations for Celeste, Jaxon, and Fabien.

Percy: “Jaxon and Tristan are not making love to me, Stewart. A man has to give.”

He said wryly. Jaxon drew a breath of aggravation.

~

Tristan was in his bedroom getting dressed. He wore a black Italian-cut suit, an ivory vest, a white shirt with a wing tip collar, an ivory silk cravat, and black wingtip Oxfords. On his dresser, he had an invitation.

✧ THE ROYAL INVITATION ✧

BY ROYAL DECREE OF HER HIGHNESS

Princess Ruby Diamond

Requests the honor of your presence, plus one guest of your choice, at an evening of

unparalleled brilliance and historic revelation.

THE OCCASION

The first public unveiling of the Crown’s greatest treasure:

THE CRIMSON SOVEREIGN

A Diamond of Peerless Fire and Ancient Lineage

THE VENUE

The Crystalline Hall

The Royal Palace Heights

THE DATE & HOUR

The Fifteenth of April

Eight o’clock in the evening

DRESS CODE: WHITE TIE

SECURITY NOTICE:

Presentation of this original vellum is mandatory for entry.

All guests will be subject to the High Guard’s inspection.

No concealed blades. No exceptions.

“Beauty is rare, but Power is Eternal.”

He grabbed his car keys and the invitation and left his bedroom.

~

Deimos was outside on his backyard patio, rubbing his sore eyes. He wore a Pantera tank top, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. He felt like Hell all over. He raised his head when he saw Tristan’s car drive by. Where is he going? He wondered as he rose from his seat and opened the gate, rushing to his car in the driveway.

~

Tristan’s car pulled up to Jordi’s house. He stepped out and went up to the door to knock on it. He stepped back and beamed when he saw Lena step out. She wore a lilac off-shoulder ballgown with butterflies adorned on the neckline. It was tight at the bodice, and the skirt flared out with a darker shade of lilac along the hem. There was a large purple bow on the back. On her neck, she wore a matching choker with a butterfly, and white opera gloves on her arms and hands. On her feet, she wore white strappy sandals, and in her hair, she wore the butterfly clip Tristan had given to her. She carried a lavender parasol in her hand.

Tristan: “Hello, Lena, you look lovely!”

He said gently. Lena reddened, and her heart thumped in her chest.

Lena: “Th-Thank you! You look so handsome.”

She blurted. Tristan smiled and blushed.

Lena: “S-Sorry, that slipped out!”

She covered her face with her hands. Tristan retained his smile.

Tristan: “Thank you. Shall we?”

He placed his hand at the small of her back and led her to his car. He opened the door for her, and she got into the passenger’s side. He went over and got into the driver’s seat. Lena felt a whirlwind of emotions as he sat beside her.

~

They arrived at Crystalline Hall. The villa stood as a limestone monument to another era, its sun-bleached walls drinking in the fierce radiance of the midday heat. It was a sprawling, Mediterranean-Gothic hybrid, a place that had been transplanted into the humid, salt-kissed air of the coast. The central manor, with its terracotta-tiled roofs and arched loggias, looked out over the grounds with the quiet, heavy authority of an old patriarch.

Below the main terrace, the gardens were a geometric masterpiece of controlled nature. Thick, verdant coils of boxwood spiraled across the pale gravel, mimicking the crests of a frozen sea. Conical evergreens stood at attention like silent guards along the perimeter.

Deep emerald mosses and waxy tropical leaves thrived in the dappled shadows of the stone balustrades.

To the left, a weathered stone gallery, draped in creeping vines, hinted at secret walkways and forgotten alcoves.

Tristan parked his car in the designated parking lot and got out, opening the door for Lena. Their arms intertwined as they approached the entrance of the villa.

They walked down the red carpet, and Tristan presented his invitation to the guard in a tuxedo. The guard scanned it and handed it back to him.

Guard: “Welcome to the event, Mr. Trémaux.”

He said genially.

The doors groaned open, and they entered a breathtakingly opulent ballroom, radiating the grandeur of Baroque architecture. The room was bathed in a warm, amber glow that reflected brilliantly off a highly polished parquet floor. Several people were dancing and dressed formally.

Massive fluted ornate columns lined the walls, providing a rhythmic verticality that drew the eye upward toward the vaulted ceiling.

Overhead, two gargantuan chandeliers hung like frozen explosions of diamond. Their light was a living thing, bleeding through countless crystal prisms to cast a soft, hazy corona against the vaulted ceiling. Up there, in the dim reaches of the rafters, painted gods and nymphs peered down from the frescoes.

Gilded wall sconces and freestanding candelabras were strategically placed along the walls, providing secondary layers of light that highlight the texture of the gold leaf and the curves of the statues. Marble statues were tucked into recessed niches, adding a sense of silent, stoic history to the perimeter of the room.

Heavy, floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains draped the large arch windows, offering a view of the lush garden outside. There was a band on stage playing classical music. Lena was in awe of the scene. She had never experienced anything like this before, with a man like Tristan. Tristan smiled at her.

Tristan: “Shall we dance?”

Lena: “Yes!”

She said as her eyes sparkled. He took her hand and held her close to him. Her heart thumped in her chest as she gazed into his emerald eyes.

Tristan gazed into her byzantine eyes. Wow, she really is beautiful, he thought. He thought about the times they spent together and how she asked him what he wanted in a relationship. He felt at ease with her. It was a different feeling than when he was with Celeste and definitely different from Ivy. He intertwined his fingers with hers.

Lena gasped, and her heart fluttered in her chest. She rested her head on his chest and wanted to savor this moment.

~

Professor Stewart Murphy was in a limousine with Celeste, Jaxon, and Fabien. Celeste wore a black sequined bodycon mini-dress with mesh shoulders and an attached sequined choker, black strappy heels, black triangle earrings, and her hair was styled up in a bun with a ponytail threaded through it. Jaxon wore a black button-down shirt, a red snakeskin suit jacket, black pants, and black loafers. Fabien wore an English-cut green three-piece suit, a light-green vest, a white, pressed shirt, a green tie, and brown Oxfords. His hair was slicked back.

Prof. Murphy: “Jaxon, is that attire appropriate? It’s a white tie event.”

Celeste: “He’s fine as it is.”

She smiled at him. Jaxon smiled back at her.

Fabien: “Is there a problem, sir?”

He asked as he placed his feet on his lap. Stewart reddened.

Prof. Murphy: “Goodness no, Fabien!”

The limousine pulled up.

Prof. Murphy: “Godspeed, you three.”

He nodded.

Fabien: “Well, if you want an after midnight show, I gotta be in one piece.”

He winked. Jaxon rolled his eyes. Stewart reddened and felt a hardness in his pants.

Celeste: “Let’s mosey, boys!”

~

Deimos’ black Ferrari rolled up to the villa. It’s jammed with cars. I will have to park blocks away, he thought angrily. Something caught his eye. He saw Gabriel and Oscar sneak into the basement door of the villa. The fuck are those two doing here? He wondered.

~

Robin walked down the red carpet. She wore a blue sequin off-shoulder wrap gown, black opera gloves, black strapped heels, a pearl necklace, and sapphire crystal drop earrings. Her hair was styled in a French twist. She had a middle-aged white man in a white tuxedo on her arm. The man handed the guard his invitation robotically. The guard scanned it and smiled.

Guard: “Enjoy the evening, Mr. Greene.”

Robin clung to his arm and led him inside.

She led him down the hall and descended the stairs, where she met Oscar and Gabriel.

Robin: “Okay, get rid of this fool.”

She commanded.

Oscar: “While he’s hypnotized?”

He asked harshly.

Robin: “Yes, moron, exactly.”

Gabriel pulled his Glock 17 out with a silencer and shot Mr. Green right in the head. He let out a groan and collapsed to the floor. He shot him again for good measure. He lay face down in a pool of blood.

~

Minerva stepped into the ballroom wearing a blue sequin one-shoulder dress with a mermaid skirt. Her hair was down, and she wore sapphire dangling earrings. Jordi and Desiree walked behind her, wearing their business suits. Minerva took a flute of champagne from the tray and smirked. Jordi blew air through his parted lips. He remembered taking Madelyn to a ball like this and knit his eyebrows.

~

Tristan was outside on the balcony, leaning over and having a cigarette. Lena stepped out with him.

Lena: “Are you okay?”

She asked as she took his arm.

Tristan: “Yes, I am fine.”

He smiled.

Lena: “No, you’re not.”

She sighed. Tristan’s eyelids dipped. He inhaled a long drag.

Tristan: “What makes you think that?”

Lena: “Why did you come here?”

Tristan: “I was invited. Normally, I decline such invitations, but my hunches told me to come.”

Lena: “Why?”

Tristan raked his fingers through his hair.

Tristan: “A lot is going through my mind.”

He admitted.

Lena: “Like what?”

Tristan inhaled sharply.

Tristan: “I was in a rocky relationship with Deimos.”

He replied. Lena bowed her head.

Lena: “You dated him?”

Tristan nodded. Lena twisted her mouth.

Tristan: “He cheated on me with Jaxon, and we ended things. We were trying to mend the relationship but…”

He shifted his eyes. Lena pulled a face.

Tristan: “I don’t know what I want. Last night, he informed me that he turned to a toxic family member who betrayed me for help in reconciling us.”

He said with disgust.

Lena cupped her mouth.

Lena: “He came to my house and beat up Jordi!”

She blurted. Tristan turned to Lena with wide eyes.

Tristan: “He what?! Why did he?”

He asked sharply.

Lena: “He thought you were dating Jordi!”

She exclaimed. Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “No, I am not seeing him. Jordi and I are friends, nothing more.”

He clicked his tongue.

Tristan: “Both Deimos and his brother, Lazaros, have this tendency to blame others rather than sit back and reflect or wonder where they keep going wrong.”

He rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “I am sorry he was beating up Jordi.”

He said with sadness in his eyes.

Lena: “Thank you. I put Deimos to sleep, and Jaxon healed him and Deimos.”

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “You put Deimos to sleep?”

Lena nodded.

Lena: “Yes, I have this ability to put people to sleep.”

Tristan gazed at her.

Tristan: “An ethereal prowess?”

Lena: “I didn’t know the name for it, but yes. I was taken into a camp at a young age and injected with serum.”

She explained.

Lena: “What about you?”

Tristan: “I went to a camp with Deimos, but despite taking the injections just so he would, I didn’t need them.”

He confessed with a strain.

Lena: “What do you mean?”

Tristan: “They were always there.”

He concluded and locked his gaze on her.

She gazed into his emerald eyes.

Lena: “I never heard of such a case.”

Tristan: “...It’s not common. It’s just Celeste and me. I wonder if it’s because our parents had ethereal prowesses during conception.”

He said, his voice trailing away. He flicked his cigarette butt away.

Tristan: “Prior to me taking those rounds of injections, my powers never worked properly… They were mostly out of control, and after that, they did. They were under control after that. So I wonder if the injections actually worked or if it’s all psychosomatic. Maybe they worked because I believed they would.”

He explained and paused.

Tristan: “You know something? I never told anyone this, not even Deimos.”

He twisted his mouth.

Lena: “Why did you tell me?”

She asked, gazing at him. He took her hand and traced his forefinger over the palm. She laughed and giggled.

Lena: “Hehehehahahahahaha!”

He smiled at her reaction.

Tristan: “Because I felt you would understand.”

He whispered and intertwined his fingers with hers.

~

Stepping into the gala were Sylvia and Demetrio. Demetrio wore a red tuxedo with black Oxfords, and Sylvia wore a brown tuxedo with black Oxfords. They met up with Radinka, who wore a blue strapless evening gown with a fur shawl, blue opera gloves, and blue heels.

Radinka: “Hello, Demetrio.”

She flipped her hair.

Blair followed, dressed in a powder blue tuxedo, blue cumberbund, a powder blue shirt with ruffles in the center, a blue bow tie, powder blue tuxedo shoes, and a powder blue top hat. Yoshi followed, wearing a bright orange tuxedo, orange cumberbund, an orange shirt with ruffles in the center, an orange bow tie, orange tuxedo shoes, and an orange top hat.

Yoshi: “Uh-oh, look out, ladies, here come the sexiest studs!”

He winked at Blair. Blair scowled at Radinka. I wish I were here with Ashley, he thought angrily, and saw rage when he saw Jordi in the crowd.

Sylvia: “Blair, please don’t.”

She said firmly, but gently.

~

Deimos went through the corridor of the basement. He froze when he saw a trail of dead bodyguards and pursed his lips.

He turned to see Gabriel cock and aimed his gun at him. Deimos delivered a roundhouse kick, knocking it out of his hands, where it slid on the floor.

Gabriel: “You son-of-a-bitch!”

He growled. Deimos delivered a right hook, followed by a left hook, and performed a spinning kick, knocking him over. Gabriel staggered to his feet and punched him, followed by a kick, sending Deimos crashing into a marble statue. He kicked him in the face again. Deimos staggered back and delivered a jump kick to his stomach. Gabriel crashed back and slammed Deimos against the wall. He bared his teeth and kicked him hard.

He grabbed his shirt and tossed him over his shoulder, knocking the wind out of him.

Suddenly, Oscar slashed at Deimos from behind, cutting him. Deimos gnashed his teeth as he drew blood. He turned to Oscar. As he slashed at him with his knife, Deimos jumped back and delivered a kick to his stomach, sending him crashing back and knocking the knife out of his hands. Deimos elbowed him in the face and grabbed him, slamming his head through the wall.

Deimos stood there panting. Pain coursed through his body. His trembling hands hovered over his wound. A small glow came from it and fizzled out.

Deimos: “GOD FUCKING DAMNIT!”

He barked and stomped on Gabriel as he went down the hall.

~

Celeste, Fabien, and Jaxon were in the ballroom dining area. Celeste sat and ate cake.

Fabien: “So, uh, anyone else think this mission is… weird?”

Jaxon: “How so?”

He asked as he sipped on some whiskey.

Fabien: “The fuck kind of name is ‘Alistair Thorne’ and why did he request me to come?”

He scoffed.

Jaxon: “Maybe he wants to fuck you as everyone does?”

He huffed.

Fabien: “Why didn’t he invite Tristan on this mission with his superpowers?”

Jaxon: “ ‘cause he’s a lawyer and not on Percy’s payroll. Stop asking dumb questions.”

He snapped.

Fabien rolled his eyes.

Fabien: “Someone’s touchy.”

Celeste: “This cake is fucking delicious!”

She tucked it in.

Fabien: “That’s a turtle cheesecake.”

He smiled.

Jaxon: “Her favorite.”

He added with a smile.

~

Deimos ran down the corridor and saw Darrel Gatti standing before him, wearing a silver helmet with rainbow LED lights and holding a large gun in his hands.

Deimos: “You fucking fat—”

He charged after him. Darrel raised his gun and fired, shooting out a large sheet of pink glue. Deimos stepped in the glue and yelped when he almost ended up face down. He gasped as he caught his balance. Darrel giggled.

Darrel: “Peek-a-boo! I have you!”

He sang and reached out, tickling Deimos’ sides and underarms. Deimos burst out laughing.

Deimos: “ARGH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! FUCK OFF!”

He laughed and slammed his palm into Darrel’s helmet.

Darrel: “Ah-ah-ah!”

He wagged his forefinger.

Darrel: “You didn’t say the magic word!”

He sang. Deimos growled as he lifted his legs. The glue stretched to the soles of his boots.

Darrel raised his gun.

Darrel: “Don’t worry, you’ll be a glue statue in no time!”

He chortled. Deimos bared his teeth. He leaped out, removing his boots and socks, and slammed Darrel into a statue, where he crashed to the floor.

Darrel: “Ugh, man, ever think of adding deodorizers to those?”

He fanned his face. Deimos’ face turned red as his ire soared.

Deimos: “SHUT UP! SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!”

He bellowed and delivered a hard kick to his face. Darrel grunted and fell back.

Darrel reached out and grabbed at Deimos’ wound. Deimos winced in pain and slammed his fist into Darrel’s face, breaking his nose and glasses. He staggered back and crashed onto the floor. Deimos panted, clutching his wound, and went down the hall, leaving his sweaty footprints behind. I didn’t realize how much I relied on my powers until now, he thought.

~

Blair marched over to Jordi.

Blair: “Hello, you fat piece of crap! I know from a good friend of mine that Ashley is living with you! I knew Ashley was smitten with JERKS!”

He snapped. Jordi clenched his fist and tried to retain his cool.

Jordi: “Blair, the adults are working. Can you find someone else to bother?”

He asked sharply.

Blair: “Not until you surrender, Ashley, to me! It’s the LAW!”

He snapped. Jordi rolled his eyes and took a flute of champagne from a server’s tray.

Jordi: “I didn’t think I would need this.”

He muttered.

Blair: “Yup, and you will be a weak loser because you drink and don’t drink milk like me!”

He cried.

Blair: “Milk makes you big and strong! Like me!”

He flexed his arms.

Blair: “But you don’t drink milk because you’re FAT!”

He flailed his arms. Jordi sipped on his champagne, and his jaw tightened. Fabien came over.

Fabien: “Hey, Jordi, nice seeing you here!”

He smirked.

Jordi: “...Great, now I have to deal with you.”

Fabien winced.

Fabien: “Deal with me?”

He echoed.

Blair: “Fabien, as my good friend, I grant you the privilege of telling this fatass to give Ashley to their rightful owner!”

He whined. Jordi gaped at Blair.

Fabien: “Wow, I get the privilege of doing that just for you.”

He laughed.

Jordi: “Yes, your only friend is someone who laughs at you.”

Fabien: “Jordi, I wouldn’t talk. You’re pining for a fat chick who can’t decide if she’s a man or a woman, and jumps from man to man.”

He laughed. Jordi’s right eye twitched. Blair laughed.

Blair: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Good one, buddy! As good as we are friends!”

He beamed. Fabien shuddered.

Jordi: “Then if you feel that way about Ashley, Blair is the only friend you deserve and the only one who will ever have left in your corner.”

He said firmly to Fabien.

Fabien: “If you say so, Jordi. You keep changing dates, man. Last week, it was the butter fairy, and now it’s some fat chick who can’t decide if she wants to be a man or a woman or both.”

He smirked. Jordi glared at Fabien.

Jordi: “I’m not doing this with you. You’re not worth it.”

He spat and stormed away.

Blair: “AHAHAHAHAHAHA! You got him there, good buddy!”

He smiled. Fabien glared at Jordi as he stormed off.

Fabien shoved Blair down.

Fabien: “Ooops, sorry, ‘good buddy!’ ”

He said dryly. Blair cried loudly when he fell to the floor.

~

Tristan and Lena were still on the balcony talking to each other. The door cracked open, and the two turned around to see Robin. She glared at Tristan, then turned to Lena. She turned to Tristan with a sinister smirk.

Robin: “Coucou, mon homme chat!”

She began and spread her arms out. Tristan narrowed his eyes at her. Lena edged in closer to Tristan.

Robin: “Ça fait un bail! Et c’est qui cette pauvre âme que tu as traînée depuis les profondeurs de l’Enfer?”

She gestured to Lena. Tristan stood in front of Lena and narrowed his eyes at her. Lena pressed her hands against Tristan’s back.

Tristan: “Tiens-toi loin d’elle, Robin. C’est à moi que tu en as! Elle n’a rien à voir avec tes projets!”

He snapped. Robin scowled at him.

Robin: “Quelle grossièreté... Je n’en attendais pas moins de toi.”

She growled.

She shoved Tristan aside and shoved Lena over the ledge. Lena screamed as she fell over the balcony. Tristan gasped and caught her wrist.

Tristan: “LENA!”

Lena cried.

Lena: “Tristan! I can’t hold on!”

She cried. Tristan gritted his teeth as he held onto her. Lena’s glove started to slide off.

Robin rammed her body into Tristan, causing him to fall over.

Robin: “Adieu, sale plouc de Clerteaux!”

She cackled.

As Tristan and Lena fell, Tristan grabbed her into his arms. Lena took out her umbrella, opened it up, and the two started to float down. She clung to Tristan as they floated down.

When they reached the ground, Tristan gently put her down. Tristan turned to the gala, and he and Lena entered.

When they set foot inside, Lena screamed when she saw the corpse of Mr. Greene and clung to Tristan. Tristan held her close. Of course. He thought.

Celeste rushed to Tristan.

Celeste: “Tristan, Lena! What are you two doing here?! Did Alistair Thorne hire you, too?!”

She grinned. Tristan gaped at her.

Tristan: “Who on Reona is that? No, he didn’t. I was invited here. Robin is here!”

He exclaimed and nodded to the corpse.

Celeste: “Oh. Well, so is Jax, Fab, and even fuckin’ Blair is.”

She gagged.

Tristan: “I couldn’t care less about Blair. We need to find Fabien so he can escort Lena out of here.”

He said firmly.

Celeste: “Yeah, for sure.”

Tristan sniffed a familiar odor and squeezed his nose. If I didn’t know any better…, he thought. He turned to see Deimos staggering out.

Celeste: “Deimos?! You’re hurt!”

Deimos: “Tristan! What are you doing here?! And who did you come with?! Jordi?!”

He snapped. Tristan glared at him.

Tristan: “No, I didn’t come with Jordi! Why are you here?!

He bellowed.

Deimos: “I took out Robin’s stooges! You’re so welcome, your majesty!”

He said dryly and bowed. Tristan clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes.

Jaxon came rushing in and gasped when he saw Deimos. He rushed to him and put his hands over his wound. A red glow emitted from his hand as he healed his wound.

Deimos: “Thanks, Jaxon.”

He mumbled.

Tristan: “Jaxon, you need to find Fabien.”

He said firmly.

Jaxon: “Oh, he’s probably fucking the bartender.”

He huffed. Tristan quirked an eyebrow. Celeste scratched her head.

Tristan: “...We can discuss this after. I really need you to set your emotions aside for now, because he needs to escort Lena out.”

He explained.

Jaxon: “Why? What’s going on?”

Celeste: “Robin is here.”

She drawled.

Jaxon: “Fucking hypno bitch! Does this mean Ichiro is here, too?!”

He rasped.

Jordi marched in, and his eyebrows rose.

Jordi: “Lena! What are you doing here?”

Celeste: “Find Fabien, Jordi! He needs to get her out of here ‘cause Robin is here!”

She nodded. Jordi narrowed his eyes.

Jordi: “No, I will escort her out. I don’t want her near that wastrel!”

He hissed.

Jaxon: “Good call!”

He pouted.

Lena: “Tristan, I don’t want to leave you!”

She cried. Tristan smiled.

Tristan: “I’ll be fine, Lena. I promise.”

He reassured her. Deimos glared at her.

Deimos: “What the fuck are you doing?! He’s taken by ME!”

He bellowed at her as he marched toward her. Lena clung to Tristan.

Jordi stepped in front of him.

Jordi: “Deimos, you can punch me all you want, but you better not lay a hand on her!”

He growled as electricity coursed through him. Deimos punched him across the face. Jordi slammed into the floor. Jaxon knelt on the floor and healed him. Jordi rose to his feet, and Jaxon stopped him, shaking his head.

When he marched closer, Tristan stood before him, and Deimos froze.

Tristan: “Deimos, don’t you dare.”

He said coldly.

Deimos: “We ARE in a relationship, Tristan! Why didn’t you ask ME to come?!”

He cried.

Tristan: “We’re not in a relationship… even if we were, you would have sat in a corner and sulked! Also, you’re depowered, and Robin is here!”

He said firmly. Deimos clenched his fists tightly and pursed his lips. Tristan glowered at him.

Demetrio rushed out. Tristan turned to him.

Tristan: “What’s wrong, Mr. Donati?”

Demetrio: “I can’t find Blair! Oh no, what will I do without my grandson?”

He pressed his hands against his temples.

Celeste: “Get a new one?”

She shrugged. Demetrio gaped at her, his face flickering with hurt. Tristan turned to her.

Tristan: “Celeste, please.”

He chided her gently. Tristan turned to Demetrio.

Tristan: “Demetrio, would you escort this young lady out while we find Blair?”

He asked gently.

Before Demetrio could reply, they heard Blair scream.

They rushed into the ballroom to see Blair on stage being held by a mustached man. He wore a black cape, a black top hat, black pants, and black Oxfords. He held his white-gloved hand over Blair, while his other hand held a pistol to his face. Demetrio and Sylvia gasped. Robin and Fabien joined the rest. Radinka stood there and rolled her eyes.

Demetrio: “Blair!”

He cried.

Demetrio: “Please, sir! Please! I will give you anything you want!”

He sank to the floor in tears.

Man: “Greetings, everyone! It is I, the great Alistair Thorne, here to present the TRUE power of the red diamond!”

He exclaimed. Blair sobbed and wet his pants. Tristan cupped his mouth as he surveyed the man. Lena clung to Tristan’s back.

Alistair flicked his gaze to Celeste’s boobs. Jaxon looked where he was gazing and turned back to him, narrowing his eyes on his brown eyes.

Jaxon: “SHOW YOURSELF, ICHIRO!”

He bellowed.

Fabien: “What, you didn’t recognize the accent?”

He snorted. Jaxon sneered at Fabien.

The man ripped off his mustache, removed his top hat, and replaced his monocle with his glasses, revealing himself as Ichiro.

Ichiro: “Hello, everyone. I am here to deliver the goods as promised.”

He smiled.

Demetrio: “Please, sir, I will do anything!”

He groveled. Ichiro rolled his eyes.

Ichiro: “Shut up!”

He hissed.

Ichiro: “Your money and your company mean nothing to me! I want Mr. Troll to pay for humiliating and stealing from me!”

He nodded to Fabien, who smirked.

Ichiro: “Now, you all get to bear witness to this nepo baby being turned into a super richonoid! I invited the best to witness the true power, and that includes my brother, Jiro, and his lawyer, Tristan, as well as that bitch, Robin!”

He growled.

Robin: “Where is the red diamond?”

She demanded.

Ichiro: “Always so greedy, aren’t we? There is no red diamond, you fool! The red diamond is the blood spilled when my super richonoid tears you to shreds!”

He pressed his gun against Blair’s neck.

Ichiro: “Sayonara, Blair!”

He grinned at Fabien, who smiled back just as wide.