“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.
Some called it surrender.
Others called it impossible.
Vincent ignored both.
One afternoon he stood outside a small seaside café hundreds of miles away.
A young woman stepped outside carrying groceries.
Sophia.
She froze.
“Dad?”
Vincent looked at her for several seconds.
