CHAPTER 3: THE BETRAYAL INSIDE THE EMPIRE
The name shocked everyone.
Michael Romano.
Victor's younger cousin.
A man who had been part of the family business for twenty years.
Security footage, financial records, and emails revealed everything.
Michael had partnered with Vanessa.
Their plan was simple.
Destroy Emily's reputation.
Force Victor into a public scandal.
Then convince investors that Victor was losing control of the company.
Michael wanted power.
And he was willing to destroy his own family to get it.
When confronted, he didn't deny it.
Instead, he laughed.
"You chose a former sales clerk over blood."
Victor's expression remained cold.
"No."
He stepped closer.
"I chose loyalty over greed."
The board meeting that followed lasted six hours.
By sunrise, Michael had lost every position he held.
His shares were frozen.
His contracts terminated.
His access revoked.
Everything was gone.
As security escorted him from headquarters, he turned toward Emily.
"This isn't over."
Emily felt a chill.
Because she believed him.
Three nights later, her apartment was broken into.
Nothing was stolen.
Only one message was left behind.
Written across her living room wall.
YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED FIRED.
May you like
The war wasn't over.
It was just beginning.
