The ballroom was no longer just a place of elegance—it had become a ticking time bomb. Whispers turned into shouts, truths into daggers. And as each secret unraveled on the glowing LED wall, the real Ridgefall was finally showing its fangs.
Ochieng stood rooted, heart cold as steel. His mind spun between Clara's arrival and the bombshell that Zahra had sabotaged Seraphina. But his instincts screamed—this was only the beginning.
Across the room, Clara sipped wine slowly, her lips curled in wicked amusement. She wasn't just his ex. She was now his nemesis, and perhaps the only one who could outplay him.
---
Vivienne Rossi, 23 — an Italian-Brazilian transfer student who had just arrived in Ridgefall two days ago. With sun-kissed skin, piercing green eyes, and curves that halted conversations, she was already drawing eyes. But beneath her magnetic charm was a deeper game. Vivienne was the daughter of a silent billionaire shareholder in Ridgefall. Her mission? Spy on Ochieng.
Professor Lucian Ray, 34 — charming, brilliant, and dangerous. Known for his romantic entanglements with students, his latest obsession had become Zahra. But Lucian's past held disturbing secrets. He was once involved in a scandal that got covered up with hush money—and Clara might've been the one to fund it.
Jared Mwangi, 25 — A rebel entrepreneur with a flashy style and devil-may-care attitude. He ran underground hotel parties and illegal crypto deals from the Ridgefall dorms. But what no one knew was that Jared was Ochieng's half-brother, born from a secret affair that tore his father's empire in two.
--
A second revelation flashed on the screen:
"Professor Ray exchanged grades for favors with three students—two of whom are present tonight."
Gasps. Someone dropped their champagne.
Clara's eyes locked with Professor Ray's. She blew him a kiss.
"Game's on," she whispered.
Zahra, flustered and furious, stormed toward the exit—only to be blocked by Vivienne.
"Leaving so soon, darling?" Vivienne smiled. "You've not even seen the juiciest part of the night."
Zahra narrowed her eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
"I'm the reason your next lover won't survive."
---
Meanwhile, Ochieng received a cryptic message on his private phone:
"Your father's death wasn't an accident. Kaiden has the footage. Meet me on the rooftop in 5 minutes. Come alone."
He excused himself, brushing past Clara.
Clara tilted her head, watching him leave.
"Follow him," she whispered to Kaiden's bodyguard. "And if he finds the truth… erase it."
---
Ochieng stepped into the cold night air. The city lights below sparkled like diamonds on dark velvet.
A hooded figure waited.
When the figure turned, Ochieng's heart stopped.
It was Maggy.
The woman he thought was dead.
Tears in her eyes, voice shaking, she whispered:
"I never betrayed you, Ochieng. They forced me to disappear. But you're in danger. Clara… she's not who you think."
Before he could react, a sniper scope reflected on her forehead.
Ochieng lunged—BANG!
Blood. Screams. Sirens below.
But was it real… or staged?
Because in Ridgefall, even death could be an illusion.
---