Chapter 6 - The Contract That Could Destroy the Dynasty
The next morning, Saraphina was summoned to a private meeting.
She expected a threat.
Instead, she found Dorian waiting with Vivien.
She stopped.
"What is she doing here?"
Dorian answered.
"Trying to help."
Vivien stepped forward.
"I owe you the truth."
Saraphina studied her.
"You owe me more than that."
"I know."
Vivien handed over the recordings.
Saraphina listened.
Viktor's voice was unmistakable.
Once Dorian signs, eliminate the wife.
She looked at Dorian.
"You were the bait."
"Yes."
"And me?"
"The obstacle."
Saraphina placed the phone down.
"What does he want?"
"The harbor."
"That's obvious."
Dorian looked at her.
"There's more."
He handed her a contract.
A proposed restructuring agreement.
The signatory was Castellan Maritime.
The acquiring entity was Meridian Crown Holdings.
Saraphina's eyes narrowed.
"Who owns Meridian Crown?"
"Unknown."
She checked the corporate registry.
Then stopped.
"Viktor."
Dorian nodded.
"He created it three years ago."
"So the takeover has been planned for years."
"Yes."
Saraphina read further.
There was one clause.
If Castellan Maritime transferred twenty-eight percent of its maritime interests, the Morreti fleet would lose automatic docking rights.
Her face hardened.
"He wants to choke us."
"And the city."
She looked at Dorian.
"You knew this company was dependent on my family."
"I know now."
"You should have known before."
"I should have."
That honesty disarmed her.
Then Anton called.
"Come to the clinic."
They went.
Anton looked weaker but conscious.
He held the Morreti will.
"I need to tell you the truth."
Saraphina sat beside him.
"You said Viktor was dead."
"I wanted you to believe it."
"Why?"
"Because he was once my brother."
Saraphina froze.
"Viktor is your brother?"
Anton nodded.
"Your uncle."
"But you betrayed him."
"No."
He looked at Dorian.
"He betrayed us."
Anton explained.
Years ago, Viktor had attempted to sell access to the Morreti fleet.
He believed the family should openly control the Syndicate.
When Anton refused, Viktor began working with outside industrialists.
One of those industrialists was Dorian's grandfather.
"Then why did they let me live?"
Anton looked at Dorian.
"Because your grandfather believed your family could be controlled."
Dorian lowered his eyes.
"He was wrong."
"Yes."
Anton looked at Saraphina.
"Your mother knew the danger."
"Then why did she leave the crown to me?"
"Because she believed you could end the cycle."
Saraphina stared at him.
"How?"
"By refusing to become Viktor."
"What does that mean?"
"Do not destroy him."
"Why?"
"Because every Morreti before you believed power had to be answered with greater power."
Anton's voice softened.
"Your mother wanted you to build a family instead of another dynasty."
Saraphina looked at Dorian.
That sentence landed harder than any threat.
Dorian reached for her hand.
She didn't pull away.
Later that evening, the Syndicate council was called.
Representatives from fifteen maritime families gathered.
Dorian was expected to arrive alone.
Instead, he entered beside Saraphina.
Whispers filled the room.
One elder stood.
"Castellan has no seat here."
Saraphina looked at him.
"He does tonight."
"Why?"
"Because he is my husband."
Dorian looked at her.
Even after everything, she still called him that.
"For now," she added.
A few people smiled.
Then Viktor's representative entered.
A woman named Helena Voss.
She placed the Meridian Crown contract on the table.
"Viktor Morreti offers stability."
Saraphina laughed.
"He offers theft."
Helena smiled.
"And what do you offer?"
"Transparency."
"What does that mean?"
"It means no secret purchases of port rights."
"No shell companies."
"No disappearing directors."
"No coercion."
The room went silent.
Helena looked at Dorian.
"And you agree?"
"Yes."
"Then sign."
She slid a document toward him.
Dorian looked down.
It was a loyalty declaration.
If he signed, he would publicly recognize Morreti ownership of the harbor.
He picked up the pen.
Saraphina whispered,
"You don't have to."
He looked at her.
"I do."
He signed.
The room erupted.
The elder council members stood.
One by one, they recognized the Morreti claim.
Helena's face went pale.
"The Syndicate will not accept this."
Saraphina looked at her.
"The Syndicate just did."
Helena left.
Minutes later, the lights in the building went dark.
Emergency alarms sounded.
Doors locked.
A voice came through the speakers.
"Congratulations."
Viktor.
Saraphina stared upward.
"You have one hour."
"For what?"
"For your brother."
Lucian's name appeared on every screen.
A live video.
He was tied to a chair.
Dorian cursed.
Viktor continued.
"Bring me the crown."
Saraphina closed her eyes.
The crown key was in her possession.
But Viktor didn't need the key.
He needed her to surrender.
She looked at Dorian.
"We're going."
"No."
"You're staying."
"Absolutely not."
"He wants me."
"He wants both of us."
She stared at him.
"You might die."
"So might you."
"You don't owe me this."
He stepped closer.
"I do."
"Why?"
"Because I loved you before I deserved you."
The words broke something inside her.
May you like
She looked away.
"Let's go."
