The marble steps of the Everett Grand Hotel gleamed under a thousand golden lights. Manila's most influential families had gathered, champagne flutes in hand, their daughters floating beneath the chandeliers like expensive perfume. The night was supposed to be about business… Roman De Luca's official return to the Philippines and the shock announcement of the alliance between the De Luca group and the Everett Corporation.

But in reality, the Gala was about power and power always carried ...