"So Mrs. Julia wants to know why Mr. Santo Del Vassalo insists on making himself a business partner? Because it doesn't make sense to her?" Vincent murmured.Gabriel, sitting to his right, just nodded."She's smart," Vincent chuckled."I know.""Sir, don't you think Mrs. Julia should know the truth? We've gone far enough and created many lies," Vincent took a sip of his soda and sighed softly. "Will Mrs. Julia accept it once she knows there are layers of lies we've created?"Gabriel took a long breath. "I'm worried, but I think she'll understand.""She still wants to return the dress because you borrowed $1,000,000, sir. What part of that will she understand later?"Gabriel grinned innocently."How am I supposed to respond to Mrs. Julia's messages that I've ignored since this morning, sir?" Vincent sighed softly. "This cat and mouse game is exhausting.""Soon, Vincent. I just need you to hang in there a little longer.""Do I look desperate, sir?""You just look confused."Vincent nodd
Gabriel was escorted to the connecting door leading to the exclusive dressing rooms so that no one could overhear their conversation. The store manager seemed extremely nervous, not even daring to look at Gabriel."Please, sir. I was so bold, but please don't fire me," the store manager begged."Fire you? Why would I do that?""Sir, the person who called me said that if I offended Mr. Gabriel Cotugno, my career would be ruined." The store manager looked on the verge of tears with fear."Oh, you're doing a good job. There's no way you'd get fired just like that.""I apologize again, Mr. Cotugno.""May I take my purchases now?""Of course, sir."The store manager himself immediately brought Gabriel's shopping bags. This left Kenny astonished."Quick, get him out of here! Embarrassing!" Kenny muttered."Mr. Cotugno has completed his payment," the store manager replied politely to Kenny. "He will be a valued customer for us in the future.""What?!" Kenny looked shocked. "Wait, I can't acc
Things had quieted down for over a week, although Gabriel was still followed by Percy's men. It was a challenge because Gabriel couldn't come and go to DV freely. Carlo.So they worked out a plan whereby Gabriel would send deliveries or Vincent would pretend to be dining at the osteria.That afternoon, Gabriel had to deliver food to one of the clothing stores in the mall when his phone buzzed as he entered through the back entrance. Gabriel saw Julia's name on the screen."Hi, honey," Gabriel greeted."Where are you?" Julia's voice sounded worried."I'm delivering food. What's wrong?""Gabe, Jonathan made me go with Kenny to buy clothes for the Randall family's gala dinner. Oh my God, this is making me sick.""Where are you buying clothes?""Southcoast Mall. I—"Julia's voice was cut off and a man's voice could be heard calling from the other end. Then the call suddenly ended.Gabriel paused for a moment, realizing that he was now in the Southcoast Mall. Hurriedly, Gabriel entered and
"I have direct orders from Mr. Carlo, if anything happens to his heirs, I am allowed to take any action, sir," Vincent said, half suppressing his anger.Gabriel, sitting beside Vincent, just chuckled, carrying a bag of wet clothes he had just worn.As soon as Kenny and Jonathan left, Gabriel wanted to meet Vincent in one of the parks near the osteria to get some clean clothes. The stalkers were no longer in sight and it seemed that their mission was over for the day.At least Gabriel and Vincent were free to talk."What Jonathan and Kenny did was an insult," the bald man continued."So what are you going to do to someone who just threw drinks over my head?" Gabriel turned to Vincent. The man's face was calm and his gaze serene, as if nothing could shake the saint."Maybe take them to the construction site and pour concrete over them while they're still alive.""No, Vincent." Gabriel couldn't help but laugh."That's fair. We just poured cement over them."Gabriel shook his head. "No ne
The car following Gabriel continued to follow him, as could be seen in the rearview mirror. But Gabriel didn't want to confront them right now; he decided to leave them alone. So Gabriel turned into a narrow alley, inaccessible to four-wheeled vehicles.The pursuing car stopped at the end of the alley, unable to enter. Gabriel looked back and smiled thinly.Once free of the disturbance, Gabriel casually rode his motorcycle to Laura's Osteria. He navigated through a narrow side street and parked the bike there. Gabriel could smell the aroma of cooking coming from the back door as he entered.In the kitchen, Laura stood anxiously waiting, while other staff members were also cooking and waiting. When they saw Gabriel, they all shared the same look of relief."You're all right, thank God," Laura said.Gabriel chuckled. "Why are you worried about me?""Didn't someone intercept you on the road? Or do anything?" Laura asked."No one," Gabriel replied.Gabriel decided not to tell Laura about
"Everything will be fine. I promise," Gabriel's words were sincere as he said them to Julia. Julia's once dull eyes began to sparkle and she nodded, smiling. "Thank you, honey," Julia replied softly. "Now off you go," Gabriel chuckled, patting his wife's cheeks gently. "I'll pick you up at the office later." "I can go home alone if you're still working at the osteria, Gabe." "Mrs. Giatorini is a very nice woman. I'm sure she'll give me permission," Gabriel replied. Julia nodded, then quickly boarded the bus as soon as it arrived. Gabriel continued to watch the bus as it drove around the corner, then turned and walked along the sidewalk. Gabriel's phone vibrated, and when he reached for it and looked at the screen, Vincent's name appeared. "Yes," Gabriel greeted. "It's confirmed, sir. There was indeed a meeting between Kenny, the two Roussel brothers and someone named Devon Randall. Last night, at a restaurant downtown." "Interesting." "Does that mean they're going after Del V
"I need a lot of funds, especially for this company," Kenny said.Sitting next to Kenny was a man with short, wavy black hair and piercing eyes. His expression was arrogant, indicating that he came from a wealthy family. Just entering his thirties, Devon Randall already had everything that made him feel on top of the world.Kenny handed over the Roussel family's company profile, but Devon just glanced at it without any enthusiasm. "Please, Devon.""My goodness, Kenny," Devon sighed.Kenny just grinned."This company has been mismanaged for the last two years, Kenny. I don't know if it can be saved, unless you intend to take it over," Devon sighed quietly, although he also took the Roussel company files. "Even then, it would take a significant amount of funding for you to put in there.""I'm willing to take that risk.""For what?" Devon snorted. "You'd better save your own company first, instead of thinking about small companies like this.""Can't you help me? Percy and Jonathan are on
The car did not return to DV. Carlo's building, but instead headed toward a luxurious western Maryland neighborhood. After passing the deserted highway, the car turned right onto a smaller asphalt road flanked by rows of trees."Where are we going?" Gabriel asked."Your mansion," Lucky replied.About three hundred yards later, the paved road led to a tall, white-painted gate with the initials DV in the center. Four security guards opened the gate and let the limousine in.In front of the three-story mansion, there was a hustle and bustle of people coming and going."What is all this?" Gabriel whispered, confused."Well, Nonno wants you to be able to live in the mansion, so he had people renovate it," Lucky replied. He opened the car door. "This is the fate of the favorite grandson, isn't it?""Oh God," Gabriel shook his head.They both entered the mansion, greeted by polite nods and "sir" salutes from the workers.Gabriel had never known that his family had a mansion in Maryland; he o
The five men advanced, trying to ambush Gabriel from different directions. However, Gabriel was quicker and threw punches at the nearest opponent.One opponent stumbled and fell as his face took a solid blow. Then Gabriel landed heavy punches on two more.One of the opponents swung a chair at Gabriel's back, the sound of the chair hitting bone resonating.Gabriel staggered forward, nearly falling. His eyes glanced behind him, and then his body twisted, kicking backward. He braced himself against the table and quickly kicked down the last of his opponents."God damn it!" one of the opponents yelled.Apparently, they hadn't given up and were trying to surround Gabriel again with their attacks. Five against one wasn't fair, but Gabriel wasn't intimidated.The Saint could handle opponents of such low caliber.Blow after blow, kick after kick, Gabriel hadn't fought in a long time, but he hadn't lost any of his skills. The fight rapidly increased Gabriel's adrenaline. Unconsciously, Gabriel