Throne Beneath the Flash of LightsThe main hall of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, had been transformed into an impenetrable fortress of information. Hundreds of journalists from international media outlets such as Forbes, Bloomberg, and even Vogue had filled their seats since dawn. At the front of the stage, a row of cameras with long telephoto lenses stood like artillery pieces, ready to fire their flashes toward the central subject of the night.Backstage, Mavric Thorne was adjusting his black silk tie. His face, usually cold and unreadable, now held a glint of deep satisfaction. He turned toward his wife. Liora Valerius stood there, dressed in a sharply tailored maroon power suit an image of pure authority and unmatched elegance.“The world is ready to see you, Valerina,” Mavric whispered. He brushed her cheek with his hand, offering warmth amidst the creeping tension. “Or should I say… they are ready to kneel before you?”Liora smiled a smile now brimming with far more confidenc
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