RETURN OF THE LEGENDARY CASSIAN MARKAVELLI

8- revelations

Meanwhile three day later, at Merzari hotels and suites.

Mr. Merzari , older and broad-shouldered with silver streaks in his neatly combed hair, stood with his hands clasped behind his back near the railing, gazing out at the veiled skyline through the spotless glass.

He was a man shaped by decades of decisions and sacrifices.

He’s one of the most powerful billionaires in the city, second only to the Markavelli family.

Beside him, his son stood quietly, arms folded, stealing occasional glances at his father’s profile.

The overcast sky outside casts a soft, almost sterile white light into the wide, open corridor.

To the left, a stand-up banner leans against a thick concrete pillar, with the silhouette of tall buildings, perhaps a metaphor for comfort and luxury. Further down the hall, other promotional posters line the wall, suggesting this might be a business hub or corporate observatory floor.

There is no sound but the low hum of air conditioning and the occasional sighs that came from his father.

Mr. Merzari finally speaks, his voice echoing slightly in the hollow space. “This view... it used to mean something different to me. Power. Progress. Now it feels like a question.”

His son, Gerald tilts his head. “What kind of question?”

Mr. Merzari doesn’t look at him. “What did I build? and who will it shape after I’m gone? So ironic.”

But his son could answer, Mr. merzari sighed gently again, sending sparks of uneasiness through his son.

" It made me wonder who among my heirs will be capable of keeping the legacy I've created.." his eyes moving though the city view.

Gerald let out an uneasy smile.

" That's for you to decide, father.." he murmurs , avoiding his father's gaze

His father stopped and glared at him shortly before speaking.

" I heard the Chairman of Markavelli Group got caught up in an accident with his wife who is the one of the biggest shareholders in Merzari holdings.. "

" Yes, father.... " The boy smiled out of discomfort.

He clearly didn't like where the conversation was going.

The man coughed slightly and continued.

" Even the shipment transporting their newly patented products—the same ones we were bidding for—got lost at sea. Drowned. Not a single crate recovered... "

" Yes, father. " Gerald was already sweating.

He knew how his father's mind worked.

“I’d say grace is on our side,” he added carefully. “With the products lost, and the only known blueprint with the chairman—who’s now dead— we can easily duplicate it and claim it as ours. Fate is simply doing the work for

us, I'll say.” he smiled anxiously.

He allowed himself a small smile.

“We can also move in to acquire his wife’s shares. With her gone, the balance tips entirely in our favor. She had always been an obstacle to our agendas or what do you think, father?”

The man laughed for a short while before retaining his stern countenance

" The Markavellis are not one to fall so easily. " His eyes narrowed. " Tell me, Gerald. Are you involved in this? The charges are one the penetrator can never escape from. Murder... Sabotage and industrial espoinage. Do you think you'll be able to survive that?" Mr. Merzari said.

Fear flashed across Gerald's face. His hands clenched by his sides, betraying the calm his face tried desperately to hold. “No, Father. I wouldn’t… I mean— I wouldn't dare do such. The forensic results said the accident was caused by faulty brakes and the drowned shipment was—

Mr Merzari slapped him hard before could finish.

Gerald held his cheek, unable to say a word.

“Don’t insult me, Gerald,” he spoke with anger. “You speak of fate when it stinks of orchestration. Accidents, drowned shipments, and the timely death of a couple who stood in our way?” He stepped forward. “Even I don’t believe in that much luck.”

His father didn’t yell. He didn’t raise his voice. That, Gerald knew, didn't mean less punishment for him.

His father's voice rose again.

“You think I built an empire worth billions by trusting loose ends and amateur tactics?”

“Murder, industrial sabotage, espionage—those are not mistakes you recover from. They’re not boardroom games, boy. They're traps, and only fools fall in.”

Gerald looked down, his heart thundering. “I-I didn’t authorize anything, Father. I swear. I'm only trying to leverage what was already happening.”

Mr Merzari stepped closer

“You think the law will care who authorized it when the Markavelli allies decide to retaliate? When government start sniffing around for corporate warfare?”He let the silence do the rest.

“ I've nothing to do with this, father. I swear… I was only trying what was right for us in this situation” Gerald muttered, shame mixing with panic in his voice.

He could barely look up to his father's gaze.

“Hmmm…” Mr. Ramsey murmured, his gaze still fixed on the vast skyline through the tall glass panels that stretched from floor to ceiling.

Gerald straightened his back, standing at attention like a soldier before a general.

“I’ll turn a blind eye and let you win this time with your cheap tricks! But don’t you dare fail me.” He turned slightly, his expression cold. “ For a while, your position as CEO of Merzari Health Center, the parent company of Merzari Holdings, has been nothing short of a mess. Failures. Errors. Embarrassments.”

He paused.

“I hope you use this little chaos you’ve created to make things right.”

Gerald bowed his head slightly. “Yes, sir.”

His brows were laced with sweats.

" And one more thing, you’ll attend the memorial. You’ll offer condolences then you’ll bid for Merzari shares under a shell proxy. Quietly. No movement from our primary fronts. And as for Clarence Markavelli…”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Pray he stays broken and if anything happens to him, I'll take your soul myself”

Gerald gave a slow nod, his heart pounding behind his ribs.

" Such an embarrassment," The older man said while looking at him one last time with thinly veiled disgust before leaving the hall

Gerald stood motionless for a minute.

Surprise etched on his face.

Cassian Markavelli is alive.

How?

Just then. Gerald’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

He glanced at the screen, then answered in a low voice. “Great job. I saw the news…”

He paused.

“Why didn't you take care of the son too, you dummy?! ” His smile faded.

“ Shut up, you idiot! Don't you dare lay a finger on that boy or you're dead!!" he almost shouted, turning away from the glass.

He listened.

" Don't you understand? He's under my father's watch henceforth but anyways, there should be something else we can do, right?"

He listened.

“He’s useless? Interesting! Can’t wait to see what you’re talking about…” He smiled, his eyes widening slightly,

“ I'll be at the memorial, I heard it's happening this afternoon.” he whispered.

" And what about the accident scene? Has everything been taken care of?"

" Good. And the fake suspect?"

" What? He's requesting for 50 million dollars? Why!!"

" Ok, fine, enough of the drama, just pay him... "

He ended the call with a sigh.

He dialed another call on his phone.

" I'll be at the Markavelli memorial, prepare me some funeral cards and bouquets gifts... "

" Good," he ended the call and walked out.