Chapter 8 - The Last EnemyMarcus abducted Simone outside a charity gala.
It happened in less than thirty seconds.
One moment she was beside Adrian.
The next, smoke filled the street.
Men rushed security.
A black vehicle vanished into traffic.
Adrian arrived seconds too late.
For the first time in years, panic overtook him.
“Find her.”
Marco already had teams moving.
Daniel followed every camera feed.
Jonathan called old contacts.
Adrian sat in the command room staring at surveillance footage.
Then he saw it.
A detail.
Simone had deliberately dropped her bracelet.
A signal.
A breadcrumb.
“She wants us to follow.”
They traced the route toward an abandoned industrial property outside the city.
Adrian refused to wait for police.
He went.
Inside the warehouse, Marcus stood beside Simone.
She was restrained but unharmed.
Marcus smiled.
“You destroyed everything.”
Adrian walked forward.
“You did that yourself.”
“You took the trust.”
“No.”
Adrian's voice was calm.
“Simone chose who should have it.”
Marcus looked at her.
“You think she can control this?”
Simone raised her head.
“Yes.”
Marcus laughed.
“You have no idea how much power is involved.”
Simone's voice was steady.
“I know exactly.”
She revealed that she had already transferred the trust into a new foundation.
Marcus's face changed.
“You can't.”
“I did.”
The trust would fund hospitals, housing projects, scholarships, and legal aid programs.
The empire he wanted to control had become something he could never own.
Marcus pulled a gun.
Adrian stepped between them.
“Take me.”
Simone stared.
“Adrian.”
Marcus laughed.
“You really do love her.”
Adrian looked at Simone.
“With everything I have.”
Marcus raised the gun.
A shot echoed.
Marcus dropped.
Marco had fired from the upper walkway.
Silence followed.
Simone broke free.
Adrian ran to her.
He held her tightly.
She buried her face against his chest.
“I knew you'd come.”
“I'll always come.”
The police arrived minutes later.
Marcus was arrested.
The remaining network collapsed within days.
And Adrian made the most unexpected decision of his life.
He resigned as chairman of Romano Group.
He transferred the majority of his criminal-linked assets into the foundation Simone created.
He kept the legitimate businesses.
Everything else disappeared.
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People called him insane.
He called it freedom.
