Chapter 2 - The Council's Betrayal
The heavy silence in the ballroom is shattered by Leandro’s sudden, aggressive movement.
He instantly draws his weapon and aims it directly at Maribel’s forehead.
Daphne simultaneously shields Estelle with her own body, anticipating a deadly crossfire.
“Put the remote down right now, Maribel,” Leandro commands with lethal calm.
Maribel simply leans back into the ornate chair, completely unfazed by the gun.
“If my heart stops beating, this transmitter instantly shuts down your mother's pacemaker,” Maribel explains smoothly.
Estelle gasps for air, suddenly clutching her chest as if she can feel the threat.
The doors to the council room swing open, revealing the elder Mafia bosses.
Don Salvatore, Maribel’s ruthless father, steps forward with a triumphant smirk.
“You have lost control of your emotions and your house, Leandro,” Salvatore announces loudly.
“The council has officially voted to strip you of your inherited title,” the old man declares.
Leandro realizes that the entire meeting in the other room was nothing but a distraction.
His own trusted lieutenants have already been bought off by Salvatore’s deep pockets.
“You cannot hand our family legacy to these absolute monsters,” Daphne shouts at the council.
Salvatore signals his armed guards to step into the ballroom.
“Leandro will marry my daughter by midnight, or his mother dies right here on this floor,” Salvatore dictates.
Leandro lowers his weapon slowly, realizing he is completely outgunned.
He looks at Daphne, communicating a desperate, silent plan through their shared gaze.
“I accept your terms, Salvatore,” Leandro lies perfectly.
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But as Leandro steps forward to surrender, the massive ballroom windows shatter violently.
A thick cloud of military-grade tear gas explodes directly into the center of the room.
