The day passed in a haze of monotonous preparations for the evening's gala. Earnest moved through the motions with the kind of detached efficiency that had become second nature to him. The servants, well accustomed to his cold demeanor, hurried about their tasks without complaint, their eyes never meeting his. They had long since learned that Earnest preferred his space, and any unnecessary interaction was often met with a silence that was more unsettling than anger.
As the hours slipped by, the mansion began to transform. Florists arrived with arrangements of white lilies and roses, their delicate scent permeating the air as they were placed strategically throughout the grand foyer and ballroom. The household staff polished every surface until it gleamed, and the caterers set up a lavish spread in the dining hall. Everything was as it always was—perfect, immaculate, and utterly devoid of meaning.
By the time dusk fell, the mansion was a beacon of opulence, its windows glowing with the soft light of chandeliers and candelabras. Outside, the first of the guests began to arrive, their luxury cars pulling up to the grand entrance where they were greeted by impeccably dressed doormen. The Creed family's charity gala was always a highlight of the social calendar, a glittering affair that attracted the city's elite.
Earnest stood in his room, staring at his reflection in the mirror as he adjusted the cuffs of his black tailored suit. The suit was perfectly fitted, a reflection of the family's wealth and status, but it felt more like armor than clothing—a barrier between him and the world outside. His pale green eyes, so striking in their intensity, looked back at him with the same cold detachment he had grown accustomed to. There was no excitement, no anticipation—just the familiar emptiness that had long since taken root in his heart.
A soft knock at the door drew his attention. Without waiting for his response, the door opened, and his twin sister, Serene, stepped inside. She was dressed in a floor-length black gown, her raven hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. The gown's sleek design complemented her sharp features, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. But despite her beauty, there was an edge to her—a darkness that mirrored Earnest's own.
"Father's expecting us downstairs," Serene said, her voice as calm and composed as ever. "The guests are arriving."
Earnest nodded, finishing his adjustments before turning to face her. "Is he in one of his moods?"
Serene's lips curved into a faint smile. "When isn't he?"
Earnest smirked slightly, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. Maverick Creed's moods were infamous within the family—a volatile mix of frustration, disappointment, and barely concealed anger. He was a man who thrived on control, and any deviation from his carefully laid plans was met with fury. Earnest had long since learned to navigate his father's moods, treating them as just another obstacle in his path.
Together, they left the room and made their way down the grand staircase. The sounds of the gala—laughter, conversation, the clinking of glasses—grew louder as they descended, the opulence of the mansion on full display. The guests, dressed in their finest attire, mingled in the foyer and ballroom, their conversations a mix of idle gossip and calculated networking. To Earnest, it was all a performance—one that he had no interest in participating in.
As they entered the main hall, the room quieted slightly, the guests turning to acknowledge their presence. The Creed siblings were always a topic of discussion at these events—beautiful, enigmatic, and dangerous. But where Serene was seen as a poised and elegant figure, Earnest was the enigma, the cold and distant son who never quite fit into the family's polished image.
Maverick Creed stood at the far end of the room, his tall frame commanding attention as he greeted the guests with a practiced smile. Blythe, their mother, was by his side, a vision of elegance in her deep green gown, her every movement graceful and controlled. Together, they were the perfect couple—a power duo that had long dominated the city's social and political scenes.
As Earnest and Serene approached, their parents turned to them, their expressions carefully neutral. There was no warmth, no familial affection—only the expectation that they would play their parts in the evening's performance.
"Earnest, Serene," Maverick greeted them with a nod. "You're late."
"Apologies, Father," Serene replied smoothly, her tone deferential. "We were just making sure everything was in order."
Maverick's eyes lingered on Earnest, his expression unreadable. "You look… presentable."
Earnest said nothing, his face a mask of calm indifference. He knew better than to expect praise from his father, especially for something as trivial as his appearance. Instead, he focused on the task at hand—enduring the evening's festivities without drawing unnecessary attention.
The night unfolded as expected, with the Creed family playing the perfect hosts to their guests. The ballroom was filled with laughter and conversation, the soft strains of classical music playing in the background as the elite of New York mingled and networked. Earnest moved through the crowd like a shadow, offering polite nods and brief exchanges where necessary, but never engaging more than required. His mind was elsewhere, already thinking of his next move, both in the real world and in Cyber Steam Online.
At one point during the evening, he found himself standing near one of the large windows that overlooked the manicured gardens outside. The moonlight filtered through the glass, casting a pale glow over the room, and for a brief moment, Earnest allowed himself to feel the disconnect between the world he was in and the one he longed to return to. CSO was a place where he could be himself, where power was tangible, and the stakes were real. Here, everything felt hollow, meaningless.
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice behind him. "You look like you'd rather be anywhere else."
Earnest turned to find himself face to face with Gracelyn Dabria Argento, the only person in the world who could rival his darkness. In the game, she was Gray, the sadistic genius who had captured his attention and respect. But in the real world, she was just as formidable—an icy beauty with sharp blue eyes and an intelligence that outshone everyone in the room.
"Gracelyn," he greeted her, his tone softening just slightly. "What brings you to this circus?"
She smiled, though it was more of a smirk. "I was invited. And I never miss an opportunity to observe the Creed family in their natural habitat."
Earnest allowed himself a small chuckle. "And what do you think of the show so far?"
Gracelyn's eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "It's predictable, as always. But you… you're the most interesting part of it."
There was a pause as they regarded each other, the air between them thick with unspoken understanding. In the real world, they were allies of convenience, but in CSO, they were something more—partners in crime, bound by a shared love of power and control.
"Are you planning to make a scene tonight?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Earnest shook his head. "Not tonight. I'm biding my time."
Gracelyn's smirk widened. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. Just don't take too long—I'd hate to see you get lost in this charade."
"Don't worry," Earnest replied, his voice low. "I have everything under control."
She nodded, satisfied with his response. "Good. Because when you finally make your move, I want to be there to see it."
With that, she turned and disappeared back into the crowd, leaving Earnest alone with his thoughts once more. Her words echoed in his mind, a reminder that while the game was important, the real world still held its own challenges and opportunities. He couldn't afford to lose sight of his goals, not when he was so close to achieving everything he had ever wanted.
As the night wore on, Earnest played his part, engaging with guests and maintaining the facade his family expected of him. But beneath the surface, his mind was always working, always calculating the next move. The gala was just another step in a much larger game, one that would eventually lead to the downfall of the Creed family.
And when that day came, Earnest would no longer be the joke. He would be the one holding all the cards, the one who had outmaneuvered them all.
The night continued, but Earnest's thoughts were already in the future, where his plans would come to fruition, and the Creed family's legacy would be nothing more than a memory.