"We will."
"What's the problem?"
"The original documents are valuable to him. He may try to destroy them."
"Then we protect them."
Alessandro looked at Luca.
"Get the investigators to secure the evidence."
Luca nodded.
Elena studied Alessandro.
"You're going after your brother."
"I'm going to get Matteo."
"Why?"
"Because he's innocent."
She looked at him.
"And if Vittorio refuses?"
Alessandro did not answer.
She stepped closer.
"Don't become the man you're trying to stop."
He looked at her.
For a moment, he seemed to have no response.
Then he said:
"I won't."
Elena held his gaze.
"Promise me."
Alessandro nodded.
"I promise."
***
The confrontation took place shortly after midnight.
Alessandro entered the estate through the main gate with Luca and two men.
He had refused to bring a larger force.
He did not want a war.
He wanted his nephew.
Vittorio waited in the library.
A pistol rested on the desk.
Matteo stood beside him.
Isabella sat near the window.
"You're late," Vittorio said.
Alessandro looked at Matteo.
"Come here."
The young man hesitated.
Vittorio placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Your uncle has brought trouble into this house."
Alessandro's voice remained calm.
"Let him go."
"Why?"
"Because this is between us."
"Everything is between us."
Vittorio smiled.
"That is what you never understood."
He moved toward the desk.
"You think those papers make you powerful?"
"They make you accountable."
"To whom?"
"The police."
Vittorio laughed.
"You're going to hand your own brother to the police?"
"You handed Antonio Rossi to a murderer."
"Antonio was a problem."
"He was a father."
Vittorio's face hardened.
"He was a man who knew too much."
"And you killed him."
"I protected the family."
Alessandro stared at him.
"No. You protected yourself."
Vittorio picked up the pistol.
Luca moved slightly.
Alessandro raised his hand.
"Don't."
Vittorio looked at the weapon.
Then at his brother.
"You know what the worst part is?"
Alessandro said nothing.
"Father was right about you. You were always the better man."
His voice became bitter.
"Even when you did nothing, people believed you were better."
Alessandro looked at him.
"I never wanted to be better than you."
"Of course you didn't. You already were."
Vittorio's hand trembled.
"You had everything."
"I had responsibility."
"You had the family."
"And you had the money."
Vittorio laughed.
"Money?"
He stepped closer.
"I built this empire while you played the noble son. I negotiated the contracts. I paid the judges. I kept the soldiers loyal. I made sure the enemies stayed outside our gates."
"And you killed anyone who questioned you."
"That is what power costs."
"No."
Alessandro's voice became colder.
"That is what cowardice costs."
Vittorio raised the pistol.
Matteo moved suddenly.
"Father, stop!"
Vittorio turned.
The weapon shifted.
Alessandro stepped forward.
"Matteo, move away."
But the young man did not move.
He looked at his father.
"Is it true?"
Vittorio stared at him.
"What?"
"Did you kill Mr. Rossi?"
Silence.
Matteo's voice trembled.
"Did you kill him because he found out what you were doing?"
Vittorio's face changed.
"Who told you that?"
"Uncle Alessandro."
"Your uncle is a liar."
"Then tell me it's not true."
Vittorio looked at his son.
For the first time that night, he seemed uncertain.
"Matteo—"
"Tell me."
Vittorio's jaw tightened.
"That man was going to destroy us."
Matteo stepped backward.
The answer was enough.
Isabella covered her mouth.
Alessandro looked at Vittorio.
"Put the gun down."
Vittorio laughed.
"You still think you can command me?"
"No."
Alessandro took another step.
"I think you can still choose what happens next."
Vittorio looked at his brother.
Then at the pistol.
For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
He lowered the weapon.
Luca moved immediately, disarming him.
Two other men secured the room.
Vittorio did not resist.
He simply looked at Alessandro.
"You've won."
Alessandro shook his head.
"No."
He glanced toward Matteo.
"We all lost."
***
The police arrived twenty minutes later.
They took Vittorio into custody along with two members of his security team.
The financial records were transferred to investigators.
The original files were preserved.
The flash drive was copied and authenticated.
Within days, the case expanded beyond the Moretti family.
Several businessmen resigned.
A former city official requested legal representation.
Two shipping executives were arrested.
And a long-dormant investigation into Antonio Rossi's death was officially reopened.
For the first time in eleven years, his name appeared in a newspaper for the right reason.
NOT AN ACCIDENT: NEW EVIDENCE LINKS SHIPPING EXECUTIVE'S DEATH TO CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY.
Elena read the headline in the hospital cafeteria.
She folded the newspaper.
Then she placed it beside Daniel's bed.
He read it.
"Does this mean it's over?"
She looked at him.
"I don't know."
"Is the bad man in prison?"
"He's been arrested."
"That's something."
She smiled faintly.
"Yes."
Daniel looked at her.
"Are you going to work for that man now?"
She laughed.
"No."
"Why not? He seems rich."
"Because he's a criminal."
"Fair point."
He leaned back against his pillow.