"Release him."

  Iris's voice was calm, but the command was absolute. The guards restraining Leon let go immediately, stepping back.

  Arnold Clomen opened his mouth as if to protest, but no sound came out. He stood frozen.

  Iris turned her attention to him and the gathered Clomen family members. "You have my condolences for your loss."

  It was a simple statement, polite even. But several members of the family visibly trembled at her words. Arnold's face went pale.

  "Present your account of what occurred," Iris said.

  Arnold swallowed hard, then began speaking. His voice was thick with grief but notably quieter than before, controlled. "My son—Lucas—he was found dead in the corridor. This boy... he killed him. The guards heard him confess. He admitted to striking Lucas. My son is gone because of him."

  Iris looked at the lead guard, who nodded confirmation. "The boy did say he hit Lucas, Lady Iris. He was apologizing when we arrived."

  Iris turned toward Leon, who was still on his knees, head down, barely processing what was happening around him.

  "Stand."

  The voice cut through the fog in Leon's mind. That voice. He knew that voice.

  His head snapped up. Iris was standing directly in front of him. Actually here. Actually real.

  He tried to speak, but the words caught. Instead, he bowed his head again, lower this time.

  "I'm sorry," he managed. "I'll accept whatever punishment you decide."

  "Explain what happened," Iris said. "What led to your action."

  Leon hesitated. His hands were shaking. "I—I was leaving the reception. Looking for air. I heard people talking in a hallway."

  "Continue."

  "There were three of them. I heard them... heard one of them saying things. About you." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I told him to stop. He wouldn't."

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  "What did he say?"

  Leon's throat felt tight. "He said—he said he wanted to... that he would..." The words were difficult. "He talked about what he'd done to other women. Said he knew how to 'tame' girls. Then he said he wanted to do the same to you. He described—"

  "That's a lie!" Arnold's voice cracked through the hall. "My son would never—this boy is lying to save himself!"

  The militants who'd entered with Iris moved instantly. They surrounded Arnold, hands on their weapons, forcing him to his knees. The Clomen family members near him stumbled backward in terror.

  Iris turned her head slightly toward Arnold's direction, not quite looking at him.

  "I am acquainted with this boy. He would not dare lie to me."

  The statement was delivered flatly, but it carried absolute certainty. Arnold's face went from pale to ashen.

  Iris's gaze remained in the Clomen family's direction. "Based on the words your son spoke about me, I could remove your family from existence entirely."

  The room went deathly silent. No one moved. No one breathed.

  Everyone present understood she wasn't making a threat. She was stating a fact. The Clomen family, despite their power in the Eastern hemisphere, despite their wealth and political connections, could be erased by her without effort.

  "However," Iris continued, "you have already lost your son. The boy has paid for those words with action. I will be merciful. Your family may continue to exist."

  Arnold was trembling now, restrained by militants, unable to speak.

  "Escort the Clomen family from the island," Iris ordered. Her tone didn't change, remained perfectly level. "I will have offerings sent for the funeral."

  The militants pulled Arnold to his feet. The rest of the Clomen family was gathered by other security personnel. Not roughly, but firmly. Efficiently.

  None of them protested. None of them spoke. They simply followed the guards toward the exit, heads down, bodies rigid with fear.

  The Prime Minister of Yemen had melted into the crowd, trying to make himself invisible among the other guests.

  Iris addressed the hall. "The event will continue. I will return this evening to properly conclude the celebration and extend my greetings. The current atmosphere is not appropriate for that now."

  She turned and walked toward the exit, Emilia and her security detail falling into formation around her. The doors closed behind them.

  The pressure in the room didn't disappear completely, but it lessened. People began breathing again. Whispers started immediately.

  "Did you see—"

  "She actually came down—"

  "The Clomens are finished, even if she let them live—"

  "That boy—who is he?"

  Leon remained kneeling on the floor, trying to process what had just happened.

  "Excuse me."

  Leon looked up. An officer in Special forces security uniform stood beside him, expression neutral but not unkind.

  "Lady Iris is expecting you," the officer said quietly. "Please come with me."

  Leon stared at him for a moment, not comprehending. Then the words registered.

  He stood on shaky legs and followed the officer toward the exit, aware of hundreds of eyes watching him leave.

  The whispers intensified behind him, but he couldn't focus on them.

  The officer led him through corridors, away from the main hall, deeper into the mansion. Leon followed numbly, one foot in front of the other.