"Good," Alberto continued. "Now, can you tell the court why you chose to take out a loan when you're already earning so much?""Well, they actually approached me. They've got their men all over the streets, forcing people to take out loans!" she retorted.The court audience began to murmur at her outburst."Order in the court!" the judge immediately interjected as the murmuring subsided."We seem to have an advantage now, I suppose," Roberto said with a grin."I wouldn't celebrate too quickly," Elena cautioned, her gaze fixed on Alberto, who remained calm."You mentioned being forced? Were you tortured or blackmailed into signing for the loan?" Alberto inquired."No, of course not! But they keep coming to my shop. So, I took it anyway.""You took it anyway? Alright," Alberto nodded slowly."Now, my next question. Did you read the contract before signing?""Uhmm…," Celeste hesitated, frowning, then glanced at Elena, who shook her head."No," she quickly turned back to Alberto."Now, do
"Here with me is the statement of the accused's colleague, alleging his involvement in the illegal acquisition of people's lands and properties," Elena stated as she approached, handing over the document.Alberto turned to Lucian, who shook his head in response."What on earth is that?" Enzo asked irritably."We'll only find out once it's played," Ravenna replied, her discomfort apparent."Do we really have to wait to hear it?" Enzo's tone grew frantic, earning him a glare from Ravenna."For heaven's sake, be quiet," she snapped, and Enzo fell silent, refocusing on the proceedings."I request that the recording be played so the court can witness the defendant's shrewdness," Elena stated before returning to her seat.Although the judge appeared uncomfortable, they approved the playback of the recording."Checkmate!" Damian chuckled with pride in his study as he watched the footage."So, are the accusations against Neo Finance true?" Paulo's voice, recognized by some, echoed through the
In a hushed courtroom, the judge's gaze swept across the room as she considered the evidence presented before her. After careful deliberation, her voice resonated with authority as she pronounced her verdict: "Having thoroughly reviewed the evidence, I find Lucian Kings guilty of the charges laid against him."Lucian shifted uncomfortably in his seat while his daughter placed a hand on his cold one. He managed a smile at her as they both turned back to look at the judge.“His sentence shall include compensating all those adversely affected by his high-interest loans and tendering an apology to them on live TV, alongside a fine of €300 million."“Shit,” Ravenna cursed under her breath, turning to her father.“It’s fine, daddy,” she said.“Of course it’s not,” he muttered in rage, walking out of the room as soon as the court was dismissed.Ravenna drew in a deep breath and glanced at Elena, who had a smug look on her face.She turned and ran after her father, with Enzo trailing behind h
"Liquida-what?" she asked."I thought Kings Distribution was worth more!" She asked in fright, but Lucian turned around and brushed his hand through his hair. Marcello thought it appropriate to reply to her as he started talking."Well, it's worth a lot, you're right, miss. But the fine from the court is too much. As you know, Kings Distribution is a major pillar of Kings Group. Now, with its bad reputation, it's not worth as much as we imagine. The best decision is to sell it at a lower price," Marcello said."What? Is that the only decision?" Ravenna asked as she stared at her dad, but was still greeted by the usual silence he has been giving her."I have an idea," Marcello spoke up as they all turned to him while Marcello turned his gaze to Enzo."Ask Enzo to turn himself in," Marcello said as his intense gaze lingered on Enzo who stood up almost immediately."What the fuck are you blabbering about?" Enzo asked with a nervous chuckle."Everyone thinks you sold Neo Finance after dup
"Don't you need to rethink this?" Roberto tried to keep up with Damian's long stride as he headed to the private room where Enzo was waiting for him. After the day he was informed, the mafia wanted to see him; he had asked Roberto to make arrangements for Enzo to meet him, and that day was today."We aren't talking about this any further, Roberto. I am seeing Enzo. And that's it," Damian said as he entered the elevator, observing Roberto's frustrated expression."Coming?" He asked with a raised brow."Like hell I will let you stay alone with that two-faced bastard in one room," Roberto hissed and walked in as Damian smirked."This is my hotel, Roberto. He can't do anything to me in my own base," Damian said, dipping his hand into his pocket as the elevator started moving."You can't be too sure. He has proved that he can't be trusted in the past. I just hope you won't regret this," Roberto said with a grumpy face."Have I ever made a wrong decision, ugh?" Damian placed his hand on Rob
Damian asked as he watched him intently. Enzo paused for a while and started talking. “Kings Air and Shipping, as you know, thrive in importing and exporting most foreign goods in the country, especially Kings Airline,” Enzo said.“Are you going to boast about how Damian’s business is thriving to me?” Damian drawled in an irritated tone as Enzo pressed his lips. One could notice his hesitation. And this meant two things: either he didn’t know anything or he didn’t fully trust him enough to tell him about Lucian.“Don’t think about lying to me, Enzo,” Damian said with a menacing smile.“I wouldn’t dare!” He quickly said.“Of course you won’t,” Roberto chimed in with a sarcastic chuckle.Enzo kept quiet and started talking after a while. “I don’t know much about Kings Air and Shipping. Lucian made me focus on the Distributions, and I...” Enzo looked from Damian to Roberto frantically. Damian couldn’t help but berate himself for taking him seriously.“Young master… he’s…” Roberto made to
"You're dismissed." Damian waved at both of them as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pondering on his newfound information."Ugh?" Lorenzo asked in shock as Damian slowly turned to look at them."What? Do you have something to say?" Damian gave him a questioning gaze as if he didn't understand why they were so shocked."No. No, that's not it. We'll leave now," Lorenzo said as he pushed Arturo, and they quickly left the room, even though Arturo looked hesitant to leave.Damian picked up his phone and dialed Lucian, half expecting him to pick up, an act he hadn't ventured to do since he had turned against him."You're happy, ugh?" Lucian asked when the beep signified he picked up.Damian's lips curved into a smile as he stood up from the chair and sat on the long table. "I didn't expect you to pick up, father-in-law," he said as he recalled how he used to save Lucian's name at that moment."What games are you playing now, you bastard?" Lucian seethed."You know, if I were you, I wouldn'
Damian drew in a deep breath when he reached the door where Lucian was waiting inside. He didn't know why, but suddenly he was starting to feel uncomfortable with the whole arrangement. The new direction his plan was taking had not been predetermined by him.Lucian quickly stood up as soon as Damian walked in."Good day, young master," two burly men in black suits bowed to Damian. Damian stared at them in surprise, wondering why they were here with Lucian. Then realization hit him: Roberto must have sent them. He didn't trust Lucian at all."Leave now," he said to them as they exchanged glances."But sir...""I know. Just leave," Damian said, ignoring the look Lucian was giving him.When they were finally alone, he turned his attention to Lucian, his lips spreading into a wide smile."Father-in-law!" Damian moved towards him, spreading out his arms for a hug, while Lucian stood there, maintaining his glare.Ignoring him, Damian drew him into his embrace and tapped him slightly on the b