The words of the man in the small room were still echoing in Franco's ears: "Luca Ferri is not just an ordinary criminal. He is someone you know well… more than you can imagine."
Franco's heart was beating rapidly, his eyes widening in shock. What did this mean? Luca Ferri, who really is he? Did he have a role in everything that happened? Why did he have no idea about this unknown connection?
The man standing in front of him, who seemed to know more than he let on, was quietly watching Franco's reaction. Then he said: "I don't think you are ready to hear more about Luca now, but if you insist, you have to be careful. This story is much bigger than you think."
Franco continued to stare at the man, trying to process what he had been told. Was Marco connected to all of this? Franco thought about those moments they had spent together, the conversations that had seemed normal, but now had become terrifyingly suspicious.
"Who is Luca Ferri? And why have I never heard of him before?" Franco asked, pressing the man.
"Come with me, I'll show you something." The man said, then got up and opened one of the dark drawers in the room, pulling out a tightly sealed file. It looked like it contained untold secrets. "This is all you need to know. But remember, you must remain careful. Luca Ferri is not a man to be trifled with. Neither are you."
The man opened the file for Franco. The pages were tangled with classified information, and diagrams showing complex relationships between criminal networks and government officials. But what particularly caught Franco's attention was a photo of a man standing with another person. The man in the photo bore features that closely resembled someone he knew well: Marco.
Franco paused for a moment. "Is he… Marco?" he whispered, pointing to the photo.
"Yes. Marco is a key link in this network. He's been part of this scheme since the beginning. But it doesn't stop there, Franco. He's been watching you the whole time, planning your future in the Great Game." The man said, his tone filled with mystery.
The shock was too much for him to comprehend. Marco, his co-worker, the person he trusted more than anyone else, was involved in the conspiracy? How could he have hidden all this? How had she deceived him all these years?
"Why? Why did he do this?" Franco asked, facing the truth that was unfolding before him in a terrifying way.
"Because you were part of the plan, without knowing it. Luca Ferri wanted you in the game, but you were in the shadows. Marco was managing you, giving you orders indirectly. The greater goal was to make you play the role that would eventually lead to everyone's downfall. Even you."
This revelation was the moment when Franco was on the verge of collapse. He was beginning to feel as if he was living in a long nightmare, as the truth was unfolding piece by piece, showing him that he was part of a game much bigger than he had imagined.
"What should I do now?" Franco said in a desperate voice.
"You are at a crossroads now. The choice is between remaining in the dark or revealing the truth, no matter the consequences." The man said, standing at a distance from him. "But one thing is certain: Marco is not who you think he is. And he is not on your side."
The man left Franco with the file in his hand, and left without saying another word. He left him to face the unknown alone.
Franco felt a cold chill run through his body as he closed the file. The ground beneath his feet was falling like sand, and every step he took towards the truth made the situation more complicated. He knew that he would have to deal with Marco soon. He had to face him, reveal what he had hidden from him all this time.
But would he be able to deal with the truth? And would he find himself an enemy of someone he considered a brother?