Flashback
The dimly lit room was filled with smoke and the faint hum of conversation. Castellano leaned back in his chair, a cigar perched between his fingers as he listened to Marco Visconti recount the details of Adrian's supposed plan. Marco's voice trembled slightly, but his words were clear and damning.
"He's playing you, Castellano," Marco began, his gaze shifting nervously. "Adrian doesn't care about your power or your plans. He's only here to protect Evelyn Chase and destroy you."
Castellano raised an eyebrow, feigning calm, though his interest was clearly piqued. "And how, exactly, did you come by this information?"
Marco swallowed hard. "Because I've been part of his inner circle for years. Adrian's always been secretive, but I've pieced things together over time. And recently... he got careless."
With a nod from Castellano, Marco produced a file, laying it on the table. Inside were documents, notes, and surveillance photos—evidence of Adrian's dealings, including his meetings with Evelyn and secret communications with Nicholas. Castellano sifted through the file, his eyes narrowing as he processed each piece.
"And you're certain this isn't a trap?" Castellano asked, his tone cold.
Marco hesitated but forced himself to remain confident. "Adrian doesn't know I'm here. He trusts me. That's his mistake."
A slow, sinister smile spread across Castellano's face. "If what you're saying is true, Marco, you've just given me the key to crushing Adrian Black once and for all."
The betrayal had been brewing for weeks, though Adrian had sensed it from the start. Marco's loyalty had always been tenuous, and his growing restlessness hadn't gone unnoticed. Adrian had even planted false intel to confirm his suspicions, but before he could act, Marco struck first.
It started with small leaks—minor details about Adrian's movements and plans that Castellano used to test the waters. When Adrian survived the initial attempts on his life, Castellano grew bolder, using Marco's information to orchestrate a full-scale assault.
Adrian's worst fears were realized when Castellano's men ambushed him at his safe house. It wasn't just the precision of the attack that alarmed him—it was the sheer depth of knowledge they had about his operations.
As he fought his way through the chaos alongside Nicholas, Adrian's mind raced. Marco. It has to be Marco.
The confirmation came later, when Adrian regrouped with his remaining allies. Among the casualties was one of his trusted lieutenants, who, in his dying moments, revealed Marco's betrayal.
"He sold you out," the lieutenant gasped, blood pooling at the corner of his mouth. "Gave Castellano everything... thought he could rise higher with him."
Adrian clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "Marco."
Nicholas, standing beside him, shook his head in disbelief. "He's been with you from the start. How could he do this?"
"Greed," Adrian said bitterly. "Castellano promised him power, and Marco's ambition blinded him to the cost."
Meanwhile, Castellano reveled in his apparent victory. Marco's betrayal had given him everything he needed to dismantle Adrian's carefully laid plans.
"I underestimated you, Marco," Castellano admitted during one of their meetings. "You've proven yourself useful."
Marco forced a smile, masking his unease. Despite Castellano's praise, there was no denying the undercurrent of danger in his words. Marco had seen what happened to those who outlived their usefulness in Castellano's world, and he knew his newfound position came with a ticking clock.
But for now, Castellano was satisfied. Adrian Black was on the run, his alliances fractured, his plans exposed. Evelyn Chase was vulnerable, her protector reduced to a fugitive.
Yet, in the back of Castellano's mind, a seed of doubt remained. Adrian had always been a master strategist, a man who thrived in impossible situations. Had he truly been outmaneuvered, or was this just another layer in his intricate game?
Only time would tell—but Castellano was determined to ensure that Adrian wouldn't live long enough to prove him wrong.