Chapter 4 - The Uncle’s Ultimatum
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Liya didn't go to her room. She stood hidden behind the sweeping curve of the grand staircase, her heart pounding as the private elevator chimed.
Lorenzo Moretti stepped into the penthouse. He was an older, refined man with silver hair and a tailored suit, but the menace radiating from him was palpable. He didn't look at the expensive art; he looked directly at Adrian.
"You have lost your mind, nephew," Lorenzo began, his voice dripping with condescension.
"I am handling the situation, Lorenzo," Adrian replied coldly.
"Handling it? You brought a civilian into the fortress!" Lorenzo shouted, slamming his cane against the marble floor. "A waitress! Do you have any idea how weak this makes us look? Elena Romanov called me an hour ago. She is insulted. The Falcone family is threatening to cut off our shipping routes."
"Let them," Adrian sneered. "I don't take orders from the Russians or the Italians."
"You will take orders from the Commission!" Lorenzo roared. "You are the head of this family, Adrian. You must marry a woman of equal standing. A woman of blood! If you throw away our alliances for a street rat, the Commission will vote to strip you of your title. They will kill her, and they will replace you."
Liya clamped her hand over her mouth, suffocating a gasp.
"If any of them touch Liya, I will burn their syndicates to the ground," Adrian promised, his voice low and vibrating with absolute, terrifying authority.
Lorenzo scoffed, turning toward the elevator.
"You cannot fight all five families, Adrian. You have forty-eight hours to hand the girl over to them, or I will authorize the hit myself."
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The elevator doors closed. Adrian stood in the silent living room, his fists clenched. He turned slowly, looking directly at the staircase where Liya was hiding.
"Come out, Liya."
