Then gas hissed softly from vents above.
The gunmen coughed.
Marcus covered his mouth.
“Tear the doors down!”
Nobody could.
Within seconds…
They collapsed unconscious.
Marcus fought longer.
Then his knees buckled.
Darkness.
Morning sunlight filled the mansion.
Police vehicles surrounded the estate.
Government agents arrived quietly.
No reporters.
No helicopters.
Everything happened in silence.
Exactly as powerful men preferred.
Marcus awoke handcuffed.
Across from him sat Elena.
Not wearing a maid’s uniform.
Instead…
She wore a dark suit.
An intelligence badge rested beside a thick file.
Marcus stared.
“You…”
She nodded.
“My assignment wasn’t to destroy your uncle.”
“It was to identify the traitor inside his organization.”
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“So this whole time…”
“I was watching everyone.”
“You included.”
Another door opened.
Vincent entered.
His shoulder was bandaged.
He looked older than yesterday.
Not weaker.
Just tired.
Marcus glared at him.
“You should’ve killed me.”
Vincent remained silent for a long moment.
“When your father died…”
“I promised I’d raise you like my own son.”
Marcus looked away.
“You taught me everything.”
“I did.”
“You taught me power.”
“I taught you loyalty.”
Marcus laughed.
“Loyalty doesn’t buy kingdoms.”
“No.”
Vincent replied quietly.
“But betrayal always destroys them.”
Marcus lowered his head.
For the first time…
He had nothing to say.
Weeks later…
The Torino mansion stood strangely quiet.
Most of the criminal network had collapsed.
Not because rival families defeated it.
Because Vincent dismantled it himself.
Warehouse after warehouse was surrendered.
Accounts were turned over.
Weapons disappeared.
Dozens of men accepted legitimate work financed through anonymous trusts.
