[BALLROOM - HUNTER ASSOCIATION GALA]
Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across polished marble. The Hunter Association Grand Hall held three hundred guests—S-rank and above, political dignitaries, founding family representatives. Orchestra music filled the space with elegant strings and soft percussion.
Riyan Descartes stood at the ballroom's edge wearing formal black suit, dark eyes tracking the crowd with analytical precision. Shift A processing—identifying power players, noting political clusters, calculating what announcement required this level of ceremony.
Mother called it 'foundational restructuring.' Gathered every major player in one location. But gave zero intelligence about actual content.
Even Gray had no information. Even the Hunter Association Department Heads were operating blind. Whatever this was, Riya had compartmentalized completely.
