Chapter 2 - The Hidden Debt
The entire restaurant seemed to stop breathing.
My mother gasped, clutching her hands to her chest as if she had just been stabbed.
Vincent's cold gaze shifted slowly from David back to my mother.
"Is this true, Sarah?" he asked, his voice dangerously even.
"My husband died owing the Volkov syndicate fifty thousand dollars," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"But I never stole a single dime from this restaurant."
She looked desperately at Vincent, begging him to believe her.
"David has been laundering money for the Russians through the bistro, and he used my register credentials to hide the missing cash."
David's face turned completely red with rage.
"She is a lying thief!" he yelled, stepping toward her.
Vincent did not blink.
"If she is lying, then let us look at the financial ledgers in your back office," Vincent suggested smoothly.
David froze again, sweat breaking out on his forehead.
"The office is locked, and I left the keys at home," David stuttered.
Vincent nodded to his right-hand man, a tall enforcer named Marcus.
"Marcus, go kick the door down and bring me the books," Vincent ordered.
Marcus did not move.
Instead, the tall enforcer slowly reached into his tailored jacket and pulled out a suppressed pistol.
My mother screamed and pulled me behind her legs.
May you like
Marcus aimed the gun directly at Vincent's chest.
"I am sorry, boss, but the Russians offered me a much better retirement package," Marcus said coldly.
