A genuine piece of draconic obsidian is revealed, its billion-dollar value leaving witnesses incredulous. Amid that shock, Damian is pressured at a gathering to sign an annulment agreement and be dismissed while others taunt him and insist he move on. A rival boasts that Molly is unreachable and that he has Sanctum backing—Theo Moran personally elevated the Mercers to Sanctum's gold membership and is trusted by Umbra—raising the stakes. The rival fills a breakup-fee check worth billions and arranges to meet Umbra, leaving Damian facing the immediate annulment and an impending power play.