"Of course, my apologies. But I wanted to reach you before the US markets open. I have a proposition that I think you'll find quite attractive given your current situation.""I'm not selling.""I'm not asking you to sell. I'm offering to invest. Two billion dollars in exchange for a thirty percent stake in Castellano Industries. Fresh capital, no strings attached, at a valuation that respects your company's real worth rather than this temporary market panic."Alex paused. Two billion would more than offset the losses from Marcus's attack. It would stabilize the company immediately and give them room to rebuild."Why?" Alex asked. "Why would you invest that much in a company that just lost a third of its value?""Because I don't believe the accusations," James said simply. "I've done business in the US long enough to recognize a coordinated attack when I see one. Marcus Castellano's arrest is all over the international news. His motive is clear. Which means the fundamentals of your com

The car that met them at Geneva's private aviation terminal was a black Mercedes with tinted windows. The driver, another Sentinel Protection contractor, said nothing as he drove them through the city's streets, eventually turning onto a private road that wound up into the hills overlooking Lake Geneva.The facility was a converted chateau, beautiful and imposing, surrounded by high walls and sophisticated security. Inside, it had been transformed into a state-of-the-art medical center while maintaining its historical elegance.Margaret Castellano waited in a private sitting room. She was in her sixties, silver-haired, with the same sharp intelligent eyes as Alex's father. She wore an elegant cream suit and carried herself with the quiet authority of old money."Alexander." She embraced him briefly. "You look so much like your father at your age. It's uncanny.""Aunt Margaret, I need to see Sophia first.""Of course. Follow me."She led them through the facility to a private suite. El

The fog rolled thick through Golden Gate Park as Alex made his way toward the Shakespeare Garden. It was 11:45 PM, fifteen minutes before the scheduled meeting with David Chen. The park was nearly deserted at this hour, the distant sound of traffic on Fell Street the only reminder of the city beyond the trees.Alex wore dark clothing and moved quietly along the path. He knew Rodriguez's team was positioned throughout the park—three men in the surrounding trees, two more near the entrance points, and Adrian himself stationed in a vehicle two hundred yards away with a clear communication line.The Shakespeare Garden was a small, enclosed space filled with plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works. Bronze plaques with quotes were embedded along the pathways. In the darkness, with the fog obscuring the surrounding trees, it felt isolated and intimate, perfect for a clandestine meeting or an ambush.Alex checked his watch. 11:52 PM. He positioned himself near the center of the garden, his ba

The interior of the warehouse was nothing like Alex expected. Instead of the typical industrial space with concrete floors and exposed beams, he found himself in what could only be described as a command center. The ground floor had been converted into a sophisticated operation hub, multiple computer stations, wall-mounted screens displaying security feeds from various locations, communications equipment that looked military-grade.But it was the walls that truly revealed Marcus's obsession.Every available surface was covered with photographs, documents, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes. A timeline spanning four decades stretched across the entire eastern wall, chronicling every major event in the Castellano family history. There were photos of Alex's father, Giovanni Castellano, at various stages of his life. Photos of Marcus's father, Thomas Castellano. Pictures of business deals, family gatherings, corporate announcements.And connecting them all were red lines drawn in

"Sorry, ma'am," the security officer said. "But we were briefed by Rodriguez's team an hour ago. We're actually FBI agents embedded in your security detail. Catherine Castellano, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit kidnapping, money laundering, and racketeering."The warehouse doors burst open, FBI agents flooding in from multiple entrances. Catherine stood frozen as agents moved to handcuff her. Her eyes met Alex's across the warehouse floor."This isn't over," she said coldly. "I have lawyers. Resources. Connections. I'll fight this.""You're welcome to try," Alex replied. "But unlike Marcus, whose revenge made him reckless, or you, whose arrogance made you overconfident, I learned from my father's mistakes. I didn't come here to win through deception or force. I came here to expose the truth and let justice take its course."FBI agents were securing the warehouse, taking Marcus and Catherine into custody. Special Agent Morrison approached Alex."Mr. Castellano, we need sta