Chapter 6 - The Man Behind the War
Adrian Vale demanded an exchange.
Enzo for the Rossi files.
Nicholas agreed.
Khloe knew it was a trap.
Still, they went.
The meeting took place at an abandoned theater in Brooklyn.
Nicholas arrived first.
Khloe followed.
Adrian appeared on the stage.
Enzo was dragged beside him.
“You look different,” Adrian said to Khloe.
“I grew up.”
“You survived.”
“You failed to kill me.”
Adrian smiled.
“Your father was always arrogant.”
Khloe's expression hardened.
“You betrayed him.”
“No.”
He looked behind him.
“Your father betrayed himself.”
Then a second figure stepped into the light.
Khloe froze.
Her breath disappeared.
Nicholas looked at her.
“Who?”
Khloe whispered:
“My brother.”
The man removed his mask.
Julian Rossi.
Alive.
Older.
Scarred.
And standing beside the people who had destroyed their family.
Khloe couldn't move.
“Julian?”
He smiled sadly.
“You shouldn't have come back.”
She shook her head.
“You're alive.”
“Barely.”
“Why?”
His expression became bitter.
“Because Father chose you.”
Khloe stared.
“What?”
“Everything went to you. The training. The secrets. The inheritance.”
“I was a child.”
“You were the chosen heir.”
“I never asked for it.”
“I know.”
Julian's voice cracked.
“That was the problem.”
He revealed the truth.
Their father had secretly transferred control of the Rossi network to Khloe before his death.
But the documents had never been activated.
Only the heir could unlock the final accounts.
That's what the Vescari wanted.
That's why Khloe had been hunted.
Nicholas stepped forward.
“Release Enzo.”
Julian laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
He looked at Nicholas.
“The Rossi network wasn't destroyed by the Vescari.”
Nicholas's eyes narrowed.
“Who then?”
Julian answered:
“Your father.”
Silence.
Nicholas's face became stone.
Khloe looked at him.
“Is that true?”
“I don't know.”
Julian smiled.
“Of course you don't.”
Then explosions rocked the theater.
Everyone scattered.
The building began collapsing.
Nicholas grabbed Khloe.
They ran.
Enzo escaped during the confusion.
Julian disappeared.
Outside, Khloe turned toward Nicholas.
“My family was destroyed because of yours.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“You knew nothing.”
“No.”
She stepped away.
“I need time.”
Nicholas wanted to follow.
Instead, he stopped.
“Take it.”
Khloe looked back.
He added:
“I won't chase you.”
She walked away.
But neither of them saw the black car parked across the street.
Inside sat the real architect of the war.
He watched Khloe disappear.
May you like
Then smiled.
“Finally.”
