“Please, you have to believe me!” Dante’s voice cracked as he dropped to his knees on the marble floor, his hands trembling. “I didn’t do this. I swear!”The room was deathly silent, save for the faint ticking of the grandfather clock. His father, Thomas Sinclair, sat stone-faced at the head of the long dining table, his once-proud eyes now filled with cold disappointment. Across from him, Dante’s brother, Victor, leaned back in his chair, smug and calm, while Lucas, their cousin, feigned shock, shaking his head.“You expect us to believe that?” Victor’s voice dripped with mockery. He pushed a thick file toward their father. “The proof is all here. Bank records. Offshore accounts. Money missing—millions, Father. Millions Dante stole.”“I didn’t—”“And,” Lucas cut in, voice soft, dangerous, “what about the photos, Dante? You… and Richard Moretti’s wife. Care to explain those?” He slid a glossy photo across the table.Dante’s stomach dropped as he caught sight of the image: him shaking
Victor adjusted his cufflinks as he walked toward the Golden Gala Hall, his tailored suit reflecting his usual precision. The valet quickly opened the car door for him."Keep it close," Victor instructed, handing over the keys before striding inside.The hall was alive with music and laughter. On the stage, the bride and groom danced under the sparkling chandeliers. Delgado sat at a prominent table, his guards stationed strategically around him. Victor moved through the crowd with purpose, nodding politely at familiar faces."Mr. Delgado," Victor said as he approached. Delgado turned, a broad smile lighting his face."Vic," Delgado greeted warmly. "I hope you're not here to talk business. Tonight's about family and celebration."Victor offered a small smile. "Of course, sir. Just wanted to let you know the containers have been moved to a more secure location. Everything's under control."Delgado’s grin widened. "That’s why I trust you, Vic. You’re your father’s son through and through
At a private airport, the rumble of a plane engine gradually faded as it came to a halt on the runway. The doors opened, and heavily armed men stepped out first, scanning the area with sharp, trained eyes. Then an old man appeared, stepping onto the tarmac with the casual confidence of someone who had seen it all. A cigar hung from his lips, its ember glowing faintly in the dusk light.Victor stood near the hangar, his posture respectful but firm. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers, an unusual but calculated gesture of deference. As the old man approached, Victor extended the bouquet toward him."Mr. Delgado," Victor said with a polite nod. "It’s an honor to see you again after all these years."The old man took the flowers, a faint smirk curling his lips as he examined them briefly before looking back at Victor. "Nice touch, Vic. You’ve grown into a proper man, haven’t you? Your father would be proud.""The pleasure’s all mine, sir," Victor replied smoothly. "Welcome back. We’ve prep
Lucas stepped into the backyard, the cool breeze doing little to calm his frayed nerves. He pulled out his phone, dialing Victor’s number with a sharp jab of his finger. Pacing the length of the garden, his tone was already laced with frustration when Victor answered."I told him, Victor," Lucas snapped, not waiting for a greeting. "I warned the damn doctor. I said there’d be consequences if he didn’t cooperate. But he ignored me, and now he’s gone. Vanished! And no one knows where the hell he is."Victor’s voice on the other end was steady but tense. "Calm down. We know who took him."Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. "Who?"There was a brief pause before Victor said the name. "Dante."For a moment, Lucas was silent. Then he let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Dante? Of course, it’s him. He’s like a damn roach—always creeping back no matter how many times you think you’ve crushed him. What’s his problem now?"Victor’s tone sharpened. "He kno
Three Days Later Lucas slammed the empty bottle on the table, his fourth for the day, and it wasn’t even noon. He muttered under his breath, his face red with frustration. “Dante kills my father, and the authorities just let him walk. This is bullshit. Absolute bullshit!” Mia entered the room quietly, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “Lucas,” she said softly, trying to sound calm, “you need to take it easy. Drinking like this isn’t going to solve anything.” He shot her a glare, his voice sharp. “Take it easy? Take it easy? My father’s dead, and Dante—Dante!—is out there celebrating like nothing happened! And you want me to take it easy?” Mia hesitated, her voice faltering. “I’m not saying it’s fair, but…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “Because of all this, the wedding… it’s been postponed until further notice.” Lucas froze, then slowly stood, his eyes narrowing. “Postponed?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You’re postponing our wedding because o
Minutes later, the sirens screamed as a convoy of police cars surrounded the building. Dante stood there, handcuffed, still reeling from what he'd just done. His mind was blur. He had avenged his mother, but now, standing here in the aftermath, everything felt surreal.Lucas stood a few feet away, his face twisted with shock and anger. Mia, his girlfriend, leaned on his shoulder, her expression grim as she watched the unfolding chaos. She kept glancing at Dante, her eyes filled with doubt, unsure whether to feel relief or fear.The police officer approached Dante, his face a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "Sorry Mr Dante," he said, looking at the handcuffs, "we're sorry for what happened. You're free to go."Dante blinked, utterly confused. "What? I... I don't understand. What do you mean, I'm free to go?" He looked at the officer, his brow furrowing."The evidence... it's not what it seems. We found no handprints on the objects used on the deceased. There’s no solid proof lin
Marley returned from the balcony, his phone call finished, and looked at Dante with a forced, almost tired smile."Look, kid," Marley began, pulling a chair closer and sitting down in front of Dante. "I know things have been tough. I know losing your parents, losing your mom-" He paused, his voice softening. "I know it hurts. I've been there too. It's never easy losing someone you love." Dante's chest tightened, but he said nothing, still staring at the phone on the table as if the answers he needed would come from it."I know how you feel, Dante," Marley continued, his voice laced with an almost sympathetic tone. "You think I don't? Losing your mother.. my sister..." His voice cracked slightly as he let out a slow breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. "It was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with. You know how it is, losing someone that close to you."Dante finally looked up, his eyes narrowing. "Youknow how it is, huh?" His voice was low, but thewords were sharp. "How exac
Mia’s lips curled into a slight, almost sad smile as she watched Lucas kneel before her, the ring sparkling in the light. She took a long, quiet breath before nodding slowly, as if she had made a decision long ago.“Yes,” Mia said softly, her voice not as confident as she tried to make it seem. “I’ll marry you.”Dante’s heart dropped, his entire body seeming to freeze as he stared at her, feeling like the air was being sucked out of the room. The words hit him harder than he could’ve prepared for. His mind raced, a thousand thoughts flooding his chest, but they all collided into a single, painful truth: she was settling for him."Mia... please," Dante said, his voice cracking slightly. He reached out, but she pulled back, her gaze hardening. "I know you're not happy. This isn’t what you wanted. You can’t pretend it is. You don’t have to do this, Mia."She finally looked up at him, her eyes cold. Her lips parted, and for the first time, she spoke with real bitterness. "Oh, I don’t?"
Dante’s hands trembled slightly as he balanced the tray. He wanted to avoid trouble—Lucas wasn’t worth it. If he could just quietly drop off the champagne and leave, maybe he could get through this shift without incident.“Where’s the damn champagne I ordered?” Lucas’s voice boomed across the dining hall, sharp and demanding.Dante flinched. Of course, it had to be him.His grip on the tray tightened as he glanced around. There were no other servers in sight. Just his luck. He exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves, and reluctantly made his way to Lucas’s table.As he approached, Lucas looked up—and froze for a moment. Then his lips curled into a smirk.“Well, well, well,” Lucas drawled, leaning back in his chair. “If it isn’t Dante. What are the odds?”Dante bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the heat creeping up his neck. He placed the tray on the table carefully, trying to avoid eye contact.“Didn’t know you've started working here,” Lucas said, his tone dripping with mocke
His uncle.The man who had taken him in after his mother died, who had fed him, clothed him, and protected him when his father had been too busy chasing his ambitions to care. Marley had been his rock, his family, the only constant in a childhood torn apart by loss and abandonment.And now, the system wanted him dead."No..." Dante whispered, shaking his head. "This can’t be real."[It is real, Dante.]The voice of the system returned, calm and cold, cutting through his denial like a blade."You don’t understand," Dante said, his voice trembling. "Marley... he’s not just some name. He’s my family. He raised me. I can’t—"[Mission parameters are non-negotiable. Marley Sinclair is your target. Failure to complete the mission will result in consequences.]"Consequences?" Dante’s voice rose in panic. "What consequences?"The holographic screen flickered, and suddenly, new images filled the air around him. Visions of chaos and pain.A suffocating darkness engulfed him as the system’s voice