Chapter 3 - The Silent Escape
The sheer audacity of Dominic’s threat made Adrian’s blood boil beneath his skin.
He forced himself to cough weakly, nodding in fake agreement to avoid raising any suspicion.
Dominic checked his expensive watch and reminded Adrian about the critical syndicate meeting happening at noon.
He confidently promised to bring the power of attorney documents so Adrian could officially surrender control of the shipping ports.
As soon as Dominic left the room, Clara stumbled out of the closet, clutching Lily in sheer panic.
She knew exactly what permanent removal meant in the dark world of the Moretti family.
Adrian placed a reassuring hand on Clara's shoulder, swearing on his life that no one would touch them.
He ordered Enzo to escort Clara and Lily through the estate's underground wine cellar to a hidden escape tunnel.
Enzo nodded, leading the terrified mother and child into the secret passages built behind the mansion's walls.
Adrian spent the next few hours mentally preparing for the brutal war he was about to unleash on his own blood.
He walked into the grand dining room at noon, dragging his feet and keeping his eyes hollow.
Dominic was already sitting at the head of the long table, surrounded by heavily armed guards whose loyalties had clearly shifted.
Dominic slid a thick stack of legal documents across the polished mahogany, handing Adrian a gold pen.
He urged his brother to sign away the empire, claiming it was for the good of Adrian's failing health.
Adrian picked up the pen, intentionally letting it slip from his trembling fingers onto the floor.
As he slowly bent down to retrieve it, his encrypted burner phone vibrated aggressively in his pocket.
It was a restricted emergency signal from Enzo.
Adrian answered it under the table, keeping the device hidden from his brother's watchful eyes.
Enzo’s voice was strained, breathless, and filled with uncharacteristic panic.
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The hidden escape tunnel beneath the wine cellar had been completely sealed shut with fresh concrete.
Dominic's heavily armed men had just cornered Enzo, Clara, and little Lily in the darkest corner of the catacombs.
