CHAPTER 1 — THE MAN WHO OWNED SILENCE
The poolside was still trembling from the splash.
Water rippled violently as the young man in the gray suit disappeared beneath the surface. His arrogance had vanished with the air in his lungs.
No one moved.
Not the guests.
Not the staff.
Even the music from the villa party seemed to hesitate, as if afraid to continue.
The older man stood at the edge of the pool, cane resting against the marble floor. His black suit absorbed the night like a shadow that refused to end.
Behind him, the young woman in the red dress coughed softly, still half-submerged.
He didn’t look at the crowd.
Not once.
Because people who had already lost their authority never deserved attention.
A security guard rushed forward, but stopped immediately when he recognized the man’s face.
His expression changed instantly—from duty to fear.
“Sir… I didn’t realize you were—”
“Don’t,” the older man cut him off quietly.
One word.
May you like
The guard stepped back.
And the silence became deeper.
