Francesco paced back and forth in the cold marble corridor of the courthouse, his mind racing. His empire was crumbling under the weight of the tax scandal that had surfaced, and his lawyers were struggling to keep him out of prison. He was losing ground fast, and if something didn't give soon, he would be completely destroyed.
The Project France was now his only hope. If he could finish the project and deliver the parahumans to the French government, he might secure their backing and crawl his way out of this disaster. But the clock was ticking, and Xavier's attacks had made everything more complicated. His network was failing him, his allies were hesitant, and his once-loyal men were slipping through his fingers like sand.
Francesco grimaced, knowing he had to rely on the lab more than ever. If only he could complete the project, he could make Xavier pay for everything, especially for taking Alessia.
***
