Chapter 81 An older member of the Messina family, with a stern face and sharp eyes, stepped forward and said, "Do you know anything besides your own work, Salvatore? Is meddling in other people's affairs your greatest calling?"Salvatore maintained his smile and said, "I just want to find out the truth."Two more family members snorted in derision at his words. A woman, scorn on her lips, said, "The truth? The truth to you is whatever suits your purpose. Where is the proof for the way you're smearing Marco?"Another young man, who looked like he had hot blood in his veins, stepped forward and said, "Accusing someone without proof is character assassination. And that's exactly what you're doing."Salvatore deepened the furrow on his forehead. His eyes went straight to the reporters—who were as eager as ever to ask questions about Marco. But the Messina wouldn't give him a moment's respite. It was as if they had decided—today Salvatore was "the big shot" No, today he was just a busybod

Chapter 83The ceremony was over. The bright hall was slowly emptying. The voices of the guests were fading away, the smell of flowers and the sound of broken laughter hung in the air. Marco was walking towards the car, each step of his feet heavy, as if the whole day was sitting on his shoulders. Although his eyes were in front of him, his mind was far away.Just then, his path was suddenly blocked.A hand grabbed his wrist.The touch was unexpected but not unfamiliar. Marco stopped, his body stiffened, a wave of discomfort rose in his chest. He slowly turned his head to look.Amelia.There was a strange stillness in his eyes, a light but meaningful smile on his face. There was no joy in that smile, there was a familiar demand and an old sense of entitlement. Disgust immediately flashed in Marco's eyes."Let go,"Marco said briefly.Amelia did not let go. Instead, he stood a little closer, as if he had chosen this moment on purpose.“You’re running away as soon as the ceremony is ov

Chapter 85 When Amelia arrived, her gait was confident, but her inner purpose was deeper. She glanced around through the crack in the door—to see if anyone was watching, to hear. Then she slowly sat down in front of Salvatore.Salvatore looked at her and asked in very few words, “From your face, it seems that you didn’t just come for coffee today.”Amelia leaned back in her chair, keeping her voice calm—as calm as possible when it came to the Russian mafia ‘giving back’ another man. “There’s talk of a deal.”Salvatore narrowed his eyes. “A deal to return Marco?”Amelia paused for a moment. Even as she paused, her brain was working—how Salvatore wouldn’t think she was weak if she spoke, and her own plans for Marco would remain intact.“Yes,” she said, “we were supposed to return him to the Russians… but not now.”Salvatore’s brow furrowed. “No, you mean? We promised. They don’t wait.”Amelia’s eyes showed a hint of insistence, but she covered it with a smile.“I know they don’t wait.

Chapter 87Owl had always been like this. Calm, cold, and impossibly stubborn. A man who had grown up in the shadow of the organization rarely showed his emotions. His life was ruled by discipline, firm in his decisions, and ruthless when necessary. Today's conversation with him had stirred up many old feelings that Marco had buried deep inside. A dull ache was building in the pit of his stomach, one he couldn't quite put a name to.Marco slowly stood up beside the sofa. His eyelids were growing heavy. He remembered the days of the organization—dark corridors, secret meetings, and Owl's detached gaze. He had never seen hesitation or fear in those eyes. But today, there was a caution in that voice that Marco's mind couldn't deny.Luis stood at the other end of the room. He hadn't heard the entire conversation, but he could tell a lot from the color of Marco's face, the slump of his shoulders, and the pace of his breathing. There had been a restraint in Marco's voice during the call, bu

Chapter 89Cruz couldn't stand before him then. His head was down, his shoulders trembling. The man who had been so full of bravado just minutes before his men was now completely broken.Marco spoke slowly, his voice low but sharp."Do you know what you've done?"Before Cruz could say anything, he was on his knees. Sitting on the floor, he lowered his head as if looking up would be fatal."Boss… I made a mistake. I didn't know he was a doctor. I swear, I didn't know," Cruz said in a trembling voice.Marco took a step forward. The sound of his shoes echoed in the warehouse."Not knowing isn't an excuse," he said. "You kidnapped an innocent man, a doctor—someone who only saves lives?"Cruz's forehead began to sweat."I'm sorry, Marco. Please… I promise, he'll be returned completely unharmed. I'll see to it myself," he said, close to tears.Marco fell silent. There was a few seconds of silence, but the silence only served to break Cruz further."Promises are easy," Marco said. "But the w