Chapter 13 - THE FINAL BETRAYAL
Victor Russo had spent his entire life believing betrayal came from enemies.
He was wrong.
The most dangerous betrayals came from the people who stood closest.
The person who knew your habits.
Your fears.
Your weaknesses.
The person who knew exactly where to place the knife.
Victor stood in his office, staring at the security report in his hand.
Richard Hale had not acted alone.
Someone inside the Russo family had been helping him.
Someone who had access to every secret.
Every file.
Every weakness.
Chloe watched Victor carefully.
“Who could it be?”
Victor didn’t answer immediately.
Because there was only one person left.
One person who had been there through every tragedy.
His uncle.
Dominic Russo.
The man who raised him after his father died.
The man who always told him:
“Family is the only thing you can trust.”
Victor almost laughed at the irony.
Dominic arrived at the mansion two hours later.
He walked through the front doors like he owned the place.
Because for years…
He believed he did.
“Victor.”
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
“You look tired.”
Victor stared at him.
“Interesting.”
Dominic frowned.
“What?”
“You always say that when someone is losing control.”
The older man smiled.
“You think I’m against you?”
“I think you know more than you admit.”
The room became silent.
Chloe stood behind Victor.
She noticed something.
Dominic wasn’t surprised.
Not by the accusation.
Not by Richard.
Not by anything.
That meant he already knew.
“You want the truth?” Dominic asked.
Victor’s eyes hardened.
“Yes.”
Dominic sighed.
“Your father was weak.”
The words shocked Chloe.
“He cared about reputation. Family. Honor.”
He walked closer.
“But the world doesn’t reward good men.”
Victor clenched his fists.
“So you destroyed everything because you thought you deserved more?”
Dominic smiled.
“Not destroyed.”
He corrected him.
“Improved.”
Chloe felt sick.
“How many people had to suffer for your improvement?”
Dominic looked at her.
“You’re the maid.”
Victor immediately stepped forward.
“She has a name.”
Dominic laughed.
“There it is.”
He pointed at Victor.
“The problem.”
Victor said nothing.
“You spent your whole life becoming untouchable.”
Dominic continued.
“Then one exhausted girl walked into your bedroom, and suddenly you became weak.”
Chloe felt Victor’s hand tighten.
But he didn’t move.
Because he knew something.
Dominic wanted him angry.
And Victor refused to give him that satisfaction.
“Where is Richard?” Victor asked.
Dominic smiled.
“Alive.”
A cold feeling moved through the room.
“Why?”
“Because he was useful.”
Victor looked at him.
“You used him.”
“Yes.”
“And he thought he was using you.”
“Yes.”
The honesty was terrifying.
Dominic didn’t even feel guilty.
“I needed someone willing to get dirty.”
Chloe whispered:
“You’re worse than him.”
Dominic looked at her.
“No.”
His voice became cold.
“I’m the reason men like him exist.”
Before Victor could respond, the mansion alarms exploded.
Everyone turned.
A guard rushed inside.
“Boss!”
“What happened?”
The guard looked terrified.
“The city police are outside.”
Victor frowned.
“Why?”
The answer came seconds later.
A television screen turned on.
A breaking news report filled the room.
“Victor Russo has been accused of multiple crimes connected to organized activity.”
Chloe stared at the screen.
Photos appeared.
Documents.
Evidence.
All carefully prepared.
Dominic smiled.
“The final move.”
Victor looked at him.
“You planned this.”
Dominic nodded.
“Your empire will fall.”
A pause.
“And when it does…”
He looked at Chloe.
“You’ll have nothing left.”
Victor stared back.
“No.”
Dominic raised an eyebrow.
“No?”
Victor stepped closer.
“You still don’t understand.”
His voice became calm.
“You thought my power came from money.”
A pause.
“It never did.”
He looked at Chloe.
“It came from the people who believed in me.”
For the first time…
Dominic looked uncertain.
May you like
Because Victor Russo wasn’t standing alone anymore.
TO BE CONTINUED…
