"Ashes of Crestfall: The Rise of Aaron San Agustin"

Aaron checked his watch as they exited onto the sunlit marble plaza. The city roared beyond glass walls, alive with honking horns and weaving neon billboards. His team clustered around him, each carrying shopping bags that cost more than their childhood homes combined.

"Captain, where to next?" Reaper asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

Aaron paused, scanning the skyline. Since their reunion, they hadn't gone out to eat together. Years of eating ration packs and tactical rations in the desert sand or jungle mud deserved compensation.

He pulled out his phone, thumb typing swiftly.

Elissè 99 Restaurant.

A name that commanded silent reverence even among Velmont's billionaires. An old but elegant establishment perched atop the city's historic Axis Tower, its entire walls built of tempered glass, giving a sweeping panoramic view of Velmont's silver skyline at dusk. Its signature roast duck and Imperial menu were culinary legends, and reservations were made months in advance.

Aaron booked the entire venue for the evening.

He didn't tell his team the name—only sent an address with a simple note:

"Dinner. Just follow me."

Hours later, the sky burned molten gold as they approached Axis Tower's private elevator. The men and women who stepped into that mirrored lift weren't soldiers anymore. They were wolves in human skin, wearing tailored Armani suits and Italian leather shoes, hair combed back, posture straight, eyes gleaming.

The elevator rose with a soft hum, lights flickering across their reflections. Bravo adjusted his navy tie, smirking at Hawk.

"Look at us. From crawling through sewage tunnels to fine dining with crystal chandeliers."

Hawk grinned. "Just don't throw grenades at the duck, demo boy."

Specter stood silent at the back, sniper eyes scanning their surroundings despite the peaceful ambiance.

The lift stopped with a gentle ding. Glass doors slid open, revealing Elissè 99's grand entrance. Polished ebony floors reflected the glowing amber lights overhead. An archway carved with dragons and phoenixes framed the entry, guarded by two discreet yet imposing security men in tailored suits.

As Aaron's team stepped forward, a slim waiter in a black vest and tie raised a hand, blocking their path. His gaze flicked over them from head to toe, a faint curl of disdain in his lips.

"Sorry, gentlemen. Elissè 99 is closed tonight for a private event."

Aaron simply nodded, attempting to walk past him.

The waiter's eyes narrowed. "You know it's booked, yet you still want to go in?"

"I am the one who booked it," Aaron said calmly.

The waiter blinked, then scoffed, scanning Aaron's simple all-black ensemble and faded boots. "You're saying you booked Elissè 99 for tonight? Do you even know how much it costs to reserve this place for an evening? It's not thirty bucks, sir. It's three million. Look at your outfit—does it even add up to three hundred?"

He shook his head, gesturing dismissively. "Don't block the entrance. Leave before I call security to throw you out."

Aaron felt Bravo bristle beside him, while Reaper clenched his jaw so tightly a vein bulged near his temple. Maya folded her arms, glaring at the waiter with icy contempt.

But before Aaron could respond, a lazy voice drifted in from behind them.

"What's going on here, blocking the entrance like this?"

The waiter's eyes lit up. "Young Master Jenkins!" He rushed forward with a bow. "Welcome, Young Master. We were just dealing with a… situation."

Young Master Jenkins strutted forward, draped in a grey cashmere coat over a cream dress shirt and tailored slacks. Slicked hair, diamond-studded cufflinks, Rolex Daytona glittering on his wrist. An attractive woman clung to his arm, her low-cut burgundy dress leaving little to the imagination.

"Situation?" Jenkins yawned, barely glancing at Aaron's team.

"Yes, sir," the waiter said eagerly. "These people tried to enter claiming they booked the restaurant tonight. I was about to have security escort them out."

Jenkins raised an eyebrow, scanning Aaron's group with bored disdain. His gaze paused on Maya, lingering a moment too long. "Who booked it then?"

"He only mentioned the surname San Agustin. I'm not very clear on the details either."

"San Agustin?" Matthew Jenkins frowned, swirling the dark amber whiskey in his glass as he lounged against the black marble bar counter. Velmont's skyline burned molten outside the towering windows. "Did they say when they'd arrive?"

"No exact time, sir," the waiter replied softly, eyes darting nervously to the floor. "They reserved for eight o'clock."

Matthew squinted, racking his memory. San Agustin… There were no families of that name in Velmont's upper echelons. Not in finance, not in oil, not in pharmaceuticals or real estate. Probably just a visiting upstart trying to make an impression. Still, curiosity tugged at him.

He gave a bored nod. "Alright, I'll wait and see."

"We… we haven't received the client in person yet, sir," the waiter said, flustered. "But I assure you it's not them."

"Hmm." Jenkins turned fully to face Aaron. "You know, people like you should learn their place. This isn't some fast food joint you can barge into with your scruffy friends. I'd hate to see a pretty girl like that embarrassed because her… brother can't read the sign."

Reaper stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes, but Aaron raised a hand, stopping him. Silence fell, thick and tense.

Aaron's gaze locked onto Jenkins, his voice even and cool. "Are you done talking?"

Jenkins smirked. "Oh, we have a tough guy here."

Then he turned back to the waiter. "Call security. I don't want to wait all night listening to stray dogs bark."

Before the waiter could move, Aaron reached into his pocket, pulling out a card.

A small, pitch-black rectangle with no logos, no names—only a single charred brilliance diamond embedded in the center. The waiter froze. His mouth went dry as his eyes darted between the card and Aaron's face.

"Is… is this real?" he whispered, voice trembling.

Matthew frowned. "What's that? Some membership card, it looks familiar!."