Chapter 6 - THE CHAPEL
The chapel had been abandoned for twenty years.
Carmine had never entered it.
His father had forbidden anyone from going inside.
That alone made him suspicious.
The doors creaked open.
Dust covered the stone floor.
Ivy walked toward the altar.
“Here.”
She touched a loose stone.
Carmine removed it.
Beneath it was a metal box.
Inside were ledgers.
Photographs.
Contracts.
And a list of names.
Carmine read them.
Judges.
Senators.
Police commanders.
Bank executives.
Every person connected to the Rossi empire.
Then he saw the final page.
One name.
CARMINE ROSSI.
Ivy's heart stopped.
Carmine stared.
Beside his name was a payment.
$2 million.
Date: eight years ago.
Purpose:
SUCCESSION CONTROL.
Ivy looked at him.
“Carmine…”
He stepped back.
“I didn't take that money.”
“I know.”
“You don't know that.”
“I do.”
“How?”
“Because if you had, you wouldn't look surprised.”
He looked at her.
For the first time, Carmine smiled faintly.
“You're learning.”
Suddenly footsteps echoed outside.
They turned.
His aunt entered.
She held a gun.
“You were never supposed to find that.”
Carmine moved in front of Ivy.
“Where's Anton?”
She laughed.
“Dead.”
Carmine froze.
“What?”
“He betrayed everyone.”
“Then who is running this?”
She smiled.
“You are.”
Carmine's eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“You've been taking control exactly as your father predicted.”
“I don't understand.”
“Your father created a system where everyone thought they served money.”
She raised the gun.
“But they served you.”
Ivy stepped forward.
“Why attack me?”
The woman looked at her.
“Because your mother left one final secret.”
“What?”
“She knew where the original ledger was.”
Carmine stared.
“The ledger we found isn't the original?”
“No.”
The woman smiled.
“The real ledger proves who killed your father.”
A gunshot rang out.
She collapsed.
But not from Carmine's gun.
Someone had shot her from the doorway.
Carmine turned.
A figure disappeared into the corridor.
He ran after them.
Ivy followed.
The corridor was empty.
Except for a single bloodstained glove.
Carmine picked it up.
Inside was an embroidered symbol.
A silver wolf.
His expression changed.
Ivy noticed.
“What?”
May you like
Carmine whispered:
“The Moretti family.”
