The bottom fell out two weeks later.
It didn't happen all at once. Not in some dramatic, cinematic collapse where everything shattered in a single moment.
It happened quietly.
Systematically.
Like someone had planned it.
Alessandro's remaining consulting clients all cancelled within three days of each other.
Different excuses.
"Budget constraints."
"Internal restructuring."
"We've decided to take this in-house."
Each conversation polite. Regretful. Carefully worded.
And completely final.
By the third cancellation, Alessandro stopped pretending it was coincidence.
Someone had gotten to them.
Someone had made it very clear that working with Alessandro Castellano was a risk—one that could cost them contracts, reputation, maybe even legal scrutiny.
And they'd all made the same decision.
Protect themselves.
Cut him loose.
By Wednesday, his income had gone from barely sustainable…
to zero.
By Thursday, Marcus called.
Alessandro almost didn't answer.
