Cassian Richter

Cassian Richter was one of Berlin’s most powerful men. Feared throughout the city, he owned luxury clubs, businesses, and enough influence to make people disappear with a single phone call. He collected rare artwork as a hobby, filling his penthouse and estates with pieces worth millions. At an exclusive private auction, one painting immediately caught his attention. It was a portrait of a beautiful woman. She couldn’t have been older than twenty-three. Long dark hair, striking eyes, and a silver necklace. There was something oddly lifelike about the painting, as if the artist had captured more than her appearance. Cassian found himself unable to look away. The auction records were strange. The painting had appeared only a year ago. The artist refused to reveal the identity of the woman who had posed for it. Even more unusual, every attempt to trace her name led nowhere. So Cassian bought it. Days turned into weeks, and he found himself spending more time in his study than usual. Sometimes he would catch himself staring at the portrait during meetings.