The VIP lounge of Elysium shimmered with violet and gold light, the kind that made diamonds glow and secrets glint.
Laughter floated in the air. Crystal glasses clinked. Music pulsed with slow luxury.
At a private booth elevated above the rest of the floor, Darren Kairos leaned back into the plush seating, a calm storm in a perfectly tailored black Versace suit.
He didn't say much.
He didn't need to.
Next to him, his twin sister Aria sipped champagne, her hair cascading down in soft waves, a subtle smirk playing on her lips as she whispered something into Sabrina Montgomery's ear, earning a laugh.
Across the low table sat the four heiresses — each a social titan in her own right:
Victoria Lancaster, legs crossed, always composed, her deep green eyes flickering toward Darren now and then with a look that was more analytical than flirtatious.
Sabrina Montgomery, fiery and direct, lounging like she owned the place — which she practically did, with her family's hotel chain backing half the elite nightlife in Europe.
Evelyn Carrington, quiet but no less intense, eyes glinting beneath the soft lights, scanning Darren like a puzzle she intended to solve.
Alexis Whitmore, sleek and sharp in her silver heels, phone in hand, occasionally snapping photos of the booth's ambience with her usual detached amusement.
It was the kind of gathering that could shake boardrooms and stock markets — and none of them were even trying.
Then the music cut.
Everyone froze slightly — not in fear, but in curiosity. The energy shifted.
On the club's upper platform, a spotlight beamed down on a sharply dressed man stepping up to the mic: Marcus Voss, the founder and face of Elysium.
Even among billionaires and royalty, Marcus was someone people listened to.
He smiled.
"Tonight's a special night," he said smoothly, voice amplified through the entire club. "Not just because of who's here, or what's happening… but because of what's changing."
The crowd hushed.
Marcus paused for dramatic effect, then continued, "As of tonight, I'm stepping down as the majority owner of Elysium."
Gasps.
Everyone turned to each other.
"What?"
"Who's buying it?"
"Why would he sell Elysium?"
Marcus raised his hand, grinning. "Let me introduce the new majority shareholder of this fine establishment. A young man with more vision than most seasoned investors I've ever met. He now owns sixty percent of Elysium, and has plans to take it global."
A beat of silence.
"He's sitting right here with you all tonight."
The spotlight pivoted—
And landed directly on Darren Kairos.
Silence.
Then a collective inhale from the crowd below.
Darren didn't move at first. He didn't flinch. Just lifted his glass slightly and gave a nod.
It was like time slowed.
Whispers erupted like wildfire.
"Darren Kairos? The birthday boy from that insane gala?"
"He bought Elysium?! How?"
"He's just a teenager…"
"Wait, he's the Kairos everyone's talking about?"
"That's not just a rich kid—he's a threat."
At the table, the heiresses turned to him, eyes wide with interest.
Victoria raised an eyebrow, lips curving into something dangerously close to a smirk. "You kept that quiet."
Sabrina laughed. "I was wondering why you were so relaxed tonight."
Evelyn tilted her head. "How long have you been planning this?"
Alexis leaned forward, voice amused, "Are you always this unpredictable, or just when people least expect it?"
Darren smiled faintly, swirling the drink in his glass. "I like making investments. Especially ones that pay off… in silence."
Aria nudged him lightly, laughing. "You really love your dramatic reveals, huh?"
He shrugged. "I prefer to let others do the announcing."
Downstairs, the DJ resumed the music — but the atmosphere had changed.
The name Darren Kairos was no longer just a whisper in elite circles.
It was a bombshell.
And the four most powerful daughters in the country were now sitting a little closer.