Chapter 3 - The Family Crest
Dante stared at the wax seal. The emblem showed a striking raven clutching a broken sword—the personal signet ring belonging exclusively to Julian Moretti, Dante’s younger brother and current head of syndicate operations in the Southern district.
"Julian..." Dante rasped, his jaw clenching so hard the muscle flexed beneath his stubble. "Julian sent this poison?"
"Not just the poison," Elena said, her voice dropping into a tight, quiet whisper as she glanced toward the lounge entrance. "Your brother didn't just order your death tonight. He launched a full purge across the city three hours ago. Your loyal commanders in the West and East sectors are already surrounded."
Dante’s mind raced. Julian had always been the ambitious, smooth-talking diplomat of the family, while Dante was the iron fist that secured their empire. For five years, Dante believed Julian was satisfied managing the syndicate’s financial portfolios.
"Why tonight?" Dante demanded, his voice hardening into steel. "We signed the treaty with the Northern families last week. The territory was stable."
Elena leaned in slightly, her eyes glittering with cold intelligence. "Because three days ago, Julian discovered that your father’s original will was never destroyed in the mansion fire ten years ago. It’s held in a blind trust in Zurich."
Dante froze. The mansion fire ten years ago had claimed his father’s life and left Julian with severe burns on his hands. That tragedy was the sole reason Dante had taken the throne to protect his younger brother from corporate vultures.
"The will..." Dante whispered. "What does father's will say?"
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"It says you were never meant to share the empire with Julian," Elena revealed softly. "It says Julian wasn't your father's biological son—and Julian knew it before the fire ever started."
👉 What horrifying crime did Julian commit ten years ago inside the burning Moretti mansion?
