The Valentino convoy cut through the silent streets of Milan like a blade.
Three black SUVs moved in perfect formation.
Inside the first vehicle, Ares Valentino sat quietly, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. His expression was unreadable, but the tension inside the car was thick.
Marco glanced at him from the passenger seat.
"You're too calm," Marco muttered.
Ares didn't look at him.
"That usually means something bad is about to happen."
Ares' voice was steady.
"Something bad is already happening."
Marco sighed.
"Fair point."
The city lights passed by quickly as they approached the old financial district.
Most of the buildings in that area had been abandoned years ago. Broken windows. Dark towers. Silent streets.
Perfect place for someone like Leon Voss to operate.
The convoy slowed near a massive empty skyscraper.
Luca's voice crackled through the radio.
"Sir, we're here."
The SUVs stopped.
Guards stepped out immediately, scanning every corner of the street.
Marco looked up at the towering building.
"This place gives me bad memories."
Ares stepped out of the car.
"Good."
Marco frowned.
"Good?"
"If Leon chose it, he wants us uncomfortable."
The wind moved through the empty street, rattling loose metal somewhere above.
The building's entrance doors were already open.
Marco noticed it.
"He's inviting us in."
Ares walked toward the entrance without hesitation.
"Let's not keep him waiting."
The group moved inside.
The lobby was massive and completely dark except for a few flickering emergency lights.
Their footsteps echoed across the empty marble floor.
Marco looked around carefully.
"No guards."
"No cameras."
"No movement.
"This is wrong."
Ares studied the area.
Leon loved games.
Psychological ones.
This silence was intentional.
"Spread out," Ares ordered quietly.
The guards moved toward different hallways.
Marco stayed beside Ares.
"So what exactly are we expecting to find?"
Ares looked toward the elevator at the far end of the lobby.
"Answers."
Suddenly—
The elevator dinged.
Both men froze.
The doors slowly slid open.
But no one stepped out.
Instead—
A single envelope dropped onto the floor.
Marco blinked.
"That's new."
Ares walked toward the elevator carefully.
Marco followed close behind.
The envelope had only one word written on it.
ARES
Marco crossed his arms.
"Leon really likes drama."
Ares picked up the envelope and opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Marco leaned closer.
His expression instantly changed.
"…What the hell?"
The photo showed the underground garage of the Valentino estate.
The same night from the security footage.
But this angle was different.
It clearly showed the mysterious man entering the private elevator.
And beside him—
Someone else.
A woman.
Marco stared at the photo.
"No."
Ares didn't move.
Marco grabbed the photo and looked again.
"It can't be."
Because the woman standing beside the man—
Was Elara.
The elevator doors closed slowly behind them with a soft metallic sound.
The building felt colder now.
Heavier.
Marco ran a hand through his hair.
"This could be fake."
Ares said nothing.
Marco continued quickly.
"Photos can be manipulated."
"Leon could be trying to turn you against her."
Still nothing.
Marco stepped in front of him.
"Ares, say something."
Ares finally spoke.
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
"She told me she was at the estate that night."
Marco nodded.
"Yes."
"But the elevator log used her code."
Marco hesitated.
"And now there's a photo."
Marco exhaled slowly.
"This feels like a setup."
Ares looked at the photo again.
Elara's face was clear.
No mask.
No disguise.
Standing beside the unknown man.
Marco spoke carefully.
"You trust her."
Ares answered immediately.
"Yes."
Marco waited.
"But…" Ares added.
Marco closed his eyes briefly.
"There's always a 'but'."
Ares folded the photo slowly.
"I need the truth."
Marco frowned.
"You think confronting her will give you that?"
"No."
Ares turned toward the exit.
"I think Leon will."
Marco followed him quickly.
"You're walking straight into his next move again."
Ares stopped just before the exit doors.
"Yes."
Marco sighed.
"You're impossible."
Ares pushed the doors open.
The cold night air hit them immediately.
The convoy was still waiting.
But something was different.
One of the SUVs had its door open.
Marco's instincts flared.
"That's not good."
Ares' eyes sharpened.
One of the guards rushed toward them.
"Sir!"
"What happened?" Marco demanded.
The guard looked shaken.
"One of the men is missing."
Marco cursed.
"When?"
"Just now. We lost contact with him two minutes ago."
Ares' gaze slowly lifted toward the dark rooftops around them.
Somewhere above—
A faint red dot moved across the building wall.
Marco noticed it instantly.
His eyes widened.
"Sniper."
Before anyone could react—
A gunshot exploded through the night.
Glass shattered somewhere behind them.
Guards immediately raised their weapons.
Marco grabbed Ares' arm.
"Inside! Now!"
But Ares didn't move.
Because across the street—
Standing on the rooftop of another building—
A silhouette appeared under the moonlight.
Tall.
Still.
Watching.
Leon Voss.
Even from that distance, his smile was visible.
He lifted one hand slightly.
Like he was greeting an old friend.
Then he disappeared into the darkness.
Marco pulled Ares back toward the building.
"This is exactly what he wants!"
Ares' eyes remained locked on the rooftop where Leon had stood.
His voice was calm again.
Dangerously calm.
"He's not testing my empire anymore."
Marco frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Ares unfolded the photograph once more.
Elara's face stared back at him.
Leon had shown him exactly what he wanted him to see.
Now the real question remained—
Was it a lie?
Or the beginning of the biggest betrayal of his life?