Chapter 13 - THE SON PAOLO NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED
Marco Bellini had spent his entire life believing his father died before he was born.
His mother never named him.
Paolo knew.
Thomas had discovered the truth in old letters.
Paolo had fathered Marco during an affair, then paid the mother to disappear.
Years later, Marco unknowingly entered Vitelli security.
Paolo watched his illegitimate son protect Antonio for fifteen years.
Then used that loyalty against both of them.
Inside the coastal house, Paolo sat across from Marco.
“You guarded him better than my legitimate sons ever guarded me.”
Marco’s wrists were tied.
His expression remained calm.
“You poisoned him.”
“I tested him.”
“You tried to kill him.”
Paolo smiled.
“A leader who dies from one capsule deserves to die.”
Marco looked disgusted.
“You’re smaller than the stories.”
That wiped away Paolo’s smile.
Outside, Antonio received instructions from police.
Wait.
Do not enter.
He intended to ignore them.
Evelyn stopped him.
“If you walk in angry, your father wins before you reach the door.”
Antonio looked at her.
“You have another suggestion?”
“Yes.”
“Which is?”
“Make him come out.”
Thomas knew the property’s electrical system.
Police cut power to the lower building but left emergency lighting.
Then Evelyn used the one thing Paolo wanted most.
A confession.
She called him.
“I’m ready to take the succession documents.”
Antonio stared.
Paolo answered after two rings.
“Smart girl.”
“I want Marco released.”
“Marco is family.”
“So am I, apparently.”
Antonio almost smiled despite everything.
Paolo agreed to meet outside.
He wanted Evelyn alone.
She walked only as far as the illuminated courtyard.
Police snipers watched from beyond the wall.
Antonio remained hidden.
Paolo emerged with Marco beside him.
Alive.
Paolo looked at Evelyn with strange fascination.
“Thomas raised you too American.”
“He raised me to notice liars.”
“You could have had everything.”
“No.”
She held up the forged trust papers.
“You needed me to look like I wanted everything.”
Paolo’s eyes narrowed.
Evelyn continued.
“You failed because you thought everyone wanted what you wanted.”
Power.
Control.
Fear.
Money.
Paolo looked toward the darkness.
“Antonio?”
Antonio stepped into view.
For the first time in seven years, father and son faced each other.
Paolo laughed.
“You destroyed my legacy.”
Antonio answered calmly.
“No. I survived it.”
Marco suddenly drove his shoulder into Paolo and moved away.
Police surged forward.
No gunfire.
No dramatic execution.
Just officers forcing an old man to the stone courtyard and closing handcuffs around his wrists.
Paolo screamed at Antonio.
Called him weak.
Called Luca unworthy.
Called Marco a bastard.
Antonio said nothing.
Then Paolo looked at Evelyn.
“You think this ends because I’m arrested?”
She did not answer.
He smiled.
“The money is already gone.”
Federal agents checked the accounts.
Paolo was right.
More than three hundred million dollars had vanished twenty-four hours earlier.
But the receiving authorization carried one unexpected name.
May you like
Thomas Foster.
Evelyn slowly turned toward her father.
