The grand ballroom remained silent for several long seconds.
Crystal chandeliers reflected golden light across the polished floor while the orchestra continued playing softly in the background.
Yet no one paid attention to the music.
Every pair of eyes was fixed on the entrance.
Eagle and Devil had arrived.
Aryan stood tall in his black tuxedo, calm and confident. Beside him, Nithya looked elegant in her emerald-green gown. Her expression remained composed, but her sharp eyes observed every corner of the ballroom.
She was not here as a guest.
She was here as a queen entering another ruler's territory.
Lucien placed his wine glass on a nearby table.
His usual confident smile returned as he walked toward them.
"Welcome to Paris," he said politely.
Aryan's expression did not change.
"We didn't come for sightseeing."
Several guests exchanged nervous glances.
The tension between the two mafia kings was impossible to ignore.
Lucien looked at Nithya.
"You look beautiful tonight."
Before Nithya could reply, Aryan answered calmly,
"She always does."
Lucien's smile faded for a brief moment.
Nithya noticed the silent battle between them and sighed inwardly.
Impossible men.
The host announced the beginning of the charity auction.
Guests slowly moved toward the main hall.
Aryan leaned slightly toward Nithya.
"Stay beside me."
She smiled faintly.
"I was planning to."
The answer relaxed him more than he expected.
The auction began with paintings, rare jewelry, and luxury cars.
Business leaders competed with enormous bids.
Then the final item appeared.
A rare blue diamond called The Midnight Star.
The auctioneer smiled.
"Starting bid—twenty million euros."
Hands immediately went up across the hall.
Twenty-two million.
Twenty-five million.
Thirty million.
The bidding continued rapidly.
Lucien casually raised his paddle.
"Forty million."
The room became silent.
Few people could match that amount.
Then Aryan calmly lifted his paddle.
"Fifty million."
Everyone turned toward him.
Lucien smiled.
"Sixty."
Aryan didn't even blink.
"Seventy."
The auctioneer swallowed nervously.
The diamond had become more than an auction item.
It had become a battle.
Lucien looked directly at Aryan.
"Eighty million."
Aryan calmly took a sip of water before answering.
"One hundred million."
Gasps spread across the ballroom.
Even the auctioneer stood speechless.
Lucien studied Aryan carefully.
"You don't even want the diamond."
Aryan looked toward Nithya.
"I don't."
Lucien frowned.
"Then why?"
Aryan's answer came without hesitation.
"Because you do."
A few businessmen almost laughed before quickly stopping themselves.
Lucien slowly lowered his paddle.
"Sold."
The auctioneer hit the gavel.
"The Midnight Star belongs to Mr. Aryan."
Applause filled the hall.
A staff member carefully brought the blue diamond to Aryan.
Without even looking at it, Aryan turned toward Nithya.
"For you."
Nithya blinked in surprise.
"Aryan..."
"It's just a diamond."
She smiled softly.
"Just?"
"It looks better with you than inside a glass box."
He gently placed the necklace around her neck.
The blue diamond sparkled under the ballroom lights.
For a brief second, the entire hall admired the sight.
Lucien watched silently.
The gift wasn't about money.
It was about a message.
Later that evening, guests gathered on the ballroom terrace overlooking the Paris skyline.
Cool night air replaced the warmth inside.
Nithya stood near the railing, admiring the city lights.
Aryan joined her with two glasses of juice.
"No wine?" she asked.
"We need clear minds."
She accepted the glass.
"Agreed."
For a few peaceful moments, they simply enjoyed the view.
Suddenly Rohan approached quietly.
"Sir."
Aryan immediately noticed the seriousness in his voice.
"What happened?"
"We found unusual movement in the hotel's lower parking level."
Nithya's expression sharpened.
"How many?"
"Unknown."
Aryan handed his glass to a nearby waiter.
"Increase security."
Before Rohan could leave, a loud explosion shook the entire building.
The chandeliers trembled.
Guests screamed.
Smoke began rising from below.
Emergency alarms echoed throughout the hotel.
Aryan immediately pulled Nithya behind him protectively.
His eyes turned ice cold.
"This wasn't an accident."
Far below the ballroom...
The first phase of Lucien's real plan had just begun.