Chapter 7 - The Master Stroke
"This is a trick!" Julian roared, slamming his hands onto the table as he stood up, his voice cracking with desperation. "He’s unfit! He’s using experimental stimulants! Vance, tell them!"
Dr. Vance backed away toward the curtained windows, his hands shaking violently, unable to utter a single word.
Nico stopped at the edge of the table, looking around at the twelve syndicate bosses.
"Eight months ago, my car was forced off the road on Highway 41," Nico stated, his voice ringing through the room like a judicial sentence. "My spinal cord was damaged, but not severed. My recovery was guaranteed by the best specialists in the country."
He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a thick stack of printed documents, tossing them onto the middle of the table.
"These are the chemical analysis reports from the state laboratory," Nico announced. "For the past two months, my uncle Julian, Arthur Ashcroft, and Dr. Vance have been systematically poisoning my daily medication with neuro-toxins to simulate permanent paralysis."
Sal Moretti grabbed the top report, scanning the official state seals and chemical breakdowns. His eyes turned dark with rage as he glared at Julian. "You poisoned your own blood?!"
"It's a lie!" Arthur Ashcroft shouted, pulling out his phone. "This is a setup!"
"Don't bother calling your security, Arthur," Nico said coldly. "The local police and federal agents are currently sealing the iron gates outside. And my personal security detail has already disarmed your men in the driveway."
Adeline stepped forward from the corner of the room, pulling out her smartphone. She pressed a button, connecting the audio output to the dining room's surround-sound system.
The crisp, unmistakable sound of Julian’s voice filled the room:
“Arthur, tell the board members to convene at the estate by eleven o'clock. Nico has suffered a terminal relapse. We will assume full control of the Alfieri syndicate today.”
Followed by Dr. Vance’s confession recorded by Adeline's hidden lapel mic two hours earlier:
“His vitals will drop steadily over the next two hours... the coroner will sign off on respiratory failure from spinal trauma...”
The dining room erupted into total chaos.
The board members stood up, shouting curses at Julian and Arthur, washing their hands of the treason.
Julian turned toward the side service door, attempting to bolt, but Sal Moretti’s bodyguards stepped into his path, seizing his arms and forcing him down onto his knees.
Nico walked slowly up to his uncle, standing over him like an absolute king returning to his throne.
"My father trusted you, Julian," Nico said softly, looking down at the man who had ruined his family. "And you killed him the same way you tried to kill me."
"Nico... please..." Julian wept, his arrogance completely shattered into pathetic groans. "We're family! Blood!"
"Family doesn't poison family," Nico replied coldly.
He looked over at the front entrance as heavy boots thundered down the hall.
Federal agents pushed into the room, lead by Special Agent Torres, weapons drawn, displaying federal arrest warrants for attempted murder, corporate fraud, and racketeering.
Handcuffs clicked around the wrists of Julian Alfieri, Arthur Ashcroft, and Dr. Vance.
Camille threw herself at Nico's feet, sobbing hysterically. "Nico! Please! I was forced into this! My father made me do it! I love you!"
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Nico didn't even look down at her. He simply stepped back, letting the federal officers drag her away alongside her father.
Within ten minutes, the traitors were removed, the board members had pledged their absolute, undivided loyalty to Nico, and the grand house fell quiet once more.
