Chapter 22: Betrayal

Days passed in a blur of meetings and covert operations, each one more dangerous than the last. Luca's influence was growing, but so was the unrest. The Moretti family's core was fracturing. Rivals who had once been loyal to Vincenzo now turned to Luca, seeking power in the chaos. But Elena wasn't sure who to trust anymore. The loyalty Luca demanded from those around him was absolute, but his methods left a trail of blood in their wake.

One night, as Elena walked through the quiet hallways of their penthouse, she overheard a conversation that froze her in her tracks.

"Luca's plan is too risky," a voice hissed from the shadows. "The Morettis won't let us take them down so easily. We need to be careful."

Elena's blood ran cold. She recognized the voice immediately, it was one of Luca's closest associates, Marco.

"But if we hesitate, it'll be too late," Luca's voice responded, dangerously calm. "We either take Vincenzo down now or we wait until he makes his move. I'm not waiting for him to destroy us first."

"Vincenzo's still strong. And if we fail…" Marco trailed off, the unspoken threat hanging in the air.

There was a pause, and then Luca's voice, low and filled with menace: "I will not fail. Do you understand? I will destroy Vincenzo. And anyone who stands in my way will be dealt with. Mercilessly."

Elena's heart skipped a beat. She had heard the cold determination in Luca's voice before, but hearing him speak of killing so casually… it sent a chill down her spine. This was no longer just about taking down a man, it was about erasing everything that stood in his way.

As the weight of his words sank in, Elena realized the truth: Luca was no different from Vincenzo. The empire he wanted to build was just as ruthless, just as corrupt.

She had traded one dangerous man for another.