The sky that night seemed calmer, but that calm was only a smokescreen. Within the corridors of the Old City, the threads stirred again, pulling together like a merciless spider's web, everyone within trying to survive... or prevail.
**William** was the first to move. He sat in his office inside a private wing of the Black Knight Club, his papers in front of him, and a small piece of paper in the middle, written in elegant calligraphy:
**"The Secret Council is watching."**
A middle-aged man entered, his features not belonging to the world of gambling but to the world of politics. His name was **Sir Terence**, one of the Council's remnants who disappeared after the murder of Elizabeth's father.
♣ **Sir Terence:** "You said Elizabeth was ready. Prove it tonight."
🃏 **William (looking at him calmly):** "She's become more powerful than you expected. If you want loyalty from her... you're fools."
♣ **Sir Terence:** "And you? Do you still think you control her?"
🃏 **William (with a cold smile):** "No one controls Elizabeth... but now she needs me more than she hates me."
…
Elsewhere in the city, **Elizabeth** was sitting with **Madeleine** in a small room inside an old, abandoned house. No one knew about this place except her father... and William. Now, it was a place of exposed secrets.
♠ **Elizabeth (staring at Madeleine):** "Why did you come back?"
❤️ **Madeleine (quietly):** "To witness the end. Or to create it."
♠ **Elizabeth:** "If you really loved him, you wouldn't have helped me."
❤️ **Madeline (smiling ruefully):** "I loved him... then I knew him. And that's a big difference. I'm helping you because you're like him... but you're trying not to be like him. And that's worth supporting."
♠ **Elizabeth:** "What do you want in return?"
❤️ **Madeline (stood up):** "When one of you falls... I want to be the one to hold their hand last."
…
**John** was making another deal. He met secretly with **Sir Terence**, in a café on the outskirts of town. The meeting wasn't planned... but it was necessary.
♣ **Sir Terence:** "You were the closest to her heart, John. How about staying that way? But on our side."
♠ **John:** "You don't understand her. Elizabeth isn't someone to be manipulated... She's become more powerful than even her own father."
♣ **Sir Terence:** "Then help us curb it before it ignites unquenchable flames. If you don't, you'll burn with it."
John didn't reply. But in his eyes, there was an unbearable inner battle.
…
**In the evening,** everyone received an invitation from **Elizabeth**. The message was simple, with no seal or signature. Just:
**"Nine o'clock. Old Council Hall. One round. No papers... just resolutions."**
In the hall, the four gathered. **Elizabeth, William, John, and Madeleine**.
The room was empty, except for an old circular table and six battered chairs around it.
♠ **Elizabeth (looking at them one by one):**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyGS5qTDBx
"We've played enough. Lied, betrayed, and claimed to be in control. Now... we decide. Who's with us? Who's against us?"
🃏 **William (stepping forward):**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUhEyziGKe
"I'm with you... but on my terms."
♠ **Elizabeth (with stern eyes):**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDCvnCXBtz
"No conditions today, William. Either you're with me... or in front of me."
❤️ **Madeleine:**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlJdyL1kq6
"I'll stay... to watch. I'll fight no more. Whoever falls tonight doesn't deserve me."
♠ **John (after a long silence):**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvQienqXwp
"I... I don't know. But I don't want to lose you."
♠ **Elizabeth (looking at him):**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G3EYnbbxC
"Then don't betray me."
Then she looked at everyone:
♠ **Elizabeth:**24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSuvuADDlk
"In this room... the plot that killed my father was born. And in it... we will decide who deserves to stay in the game."
…
**The chapter ended, but someone stepped outside the table and called Sir Terence.**
He said:24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLI5vsu3xH7
**"The plan worked. Tomorrow... everything falls."**
And the voice was... familiar.
---
24Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlZn8m8HVf
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