The official story was simple: Sanguine Bloodshed had stepped down from his role as CEO of Obsidian Mines due to "personal reasons." The media speculated, but the truth was known only to a select few.
Pyris Obsidian, as CEO of Obsidian Tech, had personally overseen the transition, ensuring that Sanguine was swiftly removed from his position before the public could question it. In his place, Pyris installed a loyal and capable successor who had the full confidence of House Obsidian.
The vampire community, however, was in turmoil. Quietly, in the dark corners of the empire, whispers circulated that Sanguine's dealings with the Dragon and Vampire Empires had been exposed. The royal families, fearing exposure, had immediately withdrawn their support.
Sanguine had been abandoned, left to fend for himself. Without his powerful backers, he was vulnerable.
