Chapter 3 - The Trojan Horse
I slowly lowered the phone and turned my dark, furious gaze toward Celeste.
She was casually admiring her youthful reflection in the gilded hallway mirror, completely oblivious to the danger she was in.
I walked deliberately toward her, the heavy crystal whiskey glass still clenched tightly in my right hand.
"How long have you secretly known Victor Rossi?" I asked, my voice deceptively soft and casual.
Celeste froze completely, her posture instantly going rigid.
The warm, rosy color rapidly drained from her flawless face, leaving her looking like a terrified ghost.
"I do not know anyone by that name, Lucian," she stammered, taking a small step backward.
I threw my crystal glass violently against the marble wall, shattering it into a hundred sharp, glittering pieces.
"Do not dare lie to me while standing inside my own house!"
Celeste backed away, tears of genuine, pathetic fear welling in her wide eyes.
"He forced me to do it because he threatened my family."
"He paid me a fortune to seduce you and make absolutely sure your pregnant wife saw the ultimate betrayal."
"Victor knew perfectly well that Eleanor was the only invisible shield keeping your legitimate businesses afloat."
"He wanted me to break her heart so completely that she would finally leave you utterly vulnerable."
I realized with sickening, devastating clarity that I had single-handedly destroyed my own impenetrable empire for a cheap, manufactured illusion.
I grabbed Celeste roughly by the arm and dragged her aggressively toward the heavy front door.
Before I could throw the treacherous woman out into the freezing blizzard, the massive oak doors violently burst open.
Six heavily armed men wearing Victor Rossi's distinctive syndicate colors stormed aggressively into my elegant foyer.
They aimed suppressed, military-grade automatic weapons directly at my exposed chest.
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Their imposing leader smiled a cruel, jagged smile and held up a ringing, disposable cell phone.
"Mr. Rossi would like to officially negotiate the terms of your absolute, unconditional surrender."
