A glass of wine rested on the table.
When Adrian entered with Elena, Dominic smiled.
"I see you found her father."
Adrian stopped.
"Where is Lorenzo?"
Dominic shrugged.
"Busy."
"Bring him here."
"You're still giving orders."
"Someone has to."
Dominic looked at Elena.
"Your mother had the same expression."
Elena stared at him.
"You knew her?"
"Of course."
"Did you know Matteo was my father?"
Dominic lifted his glass.
"I knew everything."
The answer was so casual that Elena felt something inside her harden.
"Then why did you let her live a lie?"
Dominic took a sip.
"Because the truth was inconvenient."
Adrian moved closer.
"Tell me what happened to my father."
Dominic sighed.
"Vittorio became sentimental."
"That's not an answer."
"He wanted to dismantle everything he had built."
"Why?"
"Because he believed he could turn this family into something respectable."
Dominic laughed softly.
"Your father wanted to become a businessman. He wanted to sell the ports, close the old accounts, and walk away from the people who had protected him for thirty years."
Adrian stared at him.
"Perhaps he was right."
Dominic's expression changed.
"Be careful."
"No."
Adrian took another step.
"Tell me how he died."
Dominic put down his glass.
"He had a heart condition."
"The medical report was altered."
"Many reports are altered."
"The doctor was paid by your company."
Dominic looked toward the fireplace.
For a moment, he seemed tired.
Then he spoke.
"Your father was going to destroy us."
"Us?"
"The family."
"You mean you."
Dominic's jaw tightened.
"Do you know what it took to keep this organization alive? Do you know how many people I had to satisfy? How many enemies I had to keep quiet?"
Adrian said nothing.
"Vittorio wanted to leave. He wanted to abandon everything. He was willing to let our enemies take the city just so he could feel better about himself."
"So you killed him."
Dominic did not deny it.
He simply looked at his nephew.
"I did what had to be done."
Elena stepped forward.
"And Matteo?"
Dominic turned.
"Matteo was a problem."
"You told him I was dead."
"Yes."
"You let my mother believe he had abandoned us."
"Yes."
"You let her raise me alone."
Dominic shrugged.
"Your mother was given a choice."
Elena stared at him.
"She was given a threat."
Dominic's smile faded.
"Be careful how you speak to me."
Elena looked directly into his eyes.
"My mother was more courageous than you will ever be."
The room became silent.
Dominic set his glass down.
"Adrian, control your guest."
Adrian did not move.
"She's not my guest."
"Then what is she?"
Adrian looked at Elena.
"Family."
Dominic laughed.
"Family?"
He shook his head.
"That's exactly why Vittorio failed. He allowed emotion to interfere with judgment."
Adrian's expression became cold.
"No. He failed because he trusted you."
Dominic's smile disappeared.
He reached into his jacket.
Marco moved immediately.
But Adrian raised his hand.
"Don't."
Dominic stopped.
For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Then Adrian placed a small recorder on the table.
"Everything you've said has been recorded."
Dominic looked at it.
His face changed.
"You think that will save you?"
"No."
Adrian leaned forward.
"I think it will make it impossible for you to lie."
Dominic laughed.
"You have no idea how many people owe me."
"Then we'll find out."
***
Lorenzo Vescari entered through the side door.
He was older than Adrian remembered.
His hair was silver.
His suit was immaculate.
He carried no visible weapon.
He looked at the recorder on the table.
Then at Dominic.
"You should have waited."
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
"You said you had everything under control."
"I did."
"Then why is he here?"
Lorenzo looked at Adrian.
"Because Vittorio's son is more like his father than either of us expected."
Adrian turned toward him.
"Did you arrange the attack on Matteo?"
Lorenzo smiled.
"I arranged many things."
"Did you falsify the records?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell Sofia that Matteo was dead?"
"Yes."
"Did you tell Matteo that his daughter had died?"
Lorenzo's smile disappeared.
"Yes."
Elena stepped forward.
"Why?"
Lorenzo looked at her.
"Because you were useful."
The words were delivered without emotion.
Elena felt the answer land more heavily than any insult.
"You used my mother."
"I used the situation."
"You destroyed her life."
Lorenzo shrugged.
"Your mother was a casualty of a conflict between men who were already at war."
Adrian moved.
Marco caught his arm.
"Boss."
Adrian looked at Lorenzo.
"You have one chance."
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
"To tell us where the original records are."
Lorenzo laughed.
"You still think this is about records."
He looked toward Dominic.
"Your uncle has been protecting you for years."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"From what?"
"From the truth about your father."
Dominic turned sharply.
"Enough."
But Lorenzo continued.
"Vittorio didn't die because he wanted to leave the organization."
He looked directly at Adrian.
"He died because he discovered who had been financing the entire network."
Adrian said nothing.
Lorenzo leaned closer.
"Your father was not the only person who wanted control of Bellavita."
He paused.
"Someone much more powerful was paying Dominic."
"Who?"
Lorenzo smiled.
"Ask your father."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"He's dead."
"Then perhaps you should ask the people who attended his funeral."
***
The revelation changed everything.
Dominic had been a traitor.
Lorenzo had been his accomplice.
But they were not the highest authority behind the conspiracy.