Xavier stood among his guests, a crystal glass of aged whiskey in his hand as he laughed with practiced charm. His golden mask, adorned with small emeralds at the corners, caught the light as he tilted his head.
"Mayor Collins, I'm honored you could attend tonight," Xavier said, clinking glasses with the shorter man. "Your support for the new development project means everything."
The mayor chuckled, his jowls shaking beneath his simple black mask. "The pleasure is all mine, Xavier. Your donations to the city have been most... generous."
"We all must do our part for the community," Xavier replied with a thin smile that didn't reach his eyes.
As the mayor launched into a story about his golf game, Xavier's attention drifted across the crowded ballroom. That's when he saw him—a man in a
