Chapter 12 - The River Terminal
The terminal was nearly empty.
Rain struck the windows.
Richard stood near the loading dock with Victor.
Between them was a black case.
Adrien approached.
“You always did like leaving before anyone could ask questions.”
Richard turned.
“Makes people think I'm guilty.”
Adrien looked at the case.
“What is it?”
“The thing your father wanted hidden.”
Victor stepped forward.
Adrien's men raised their weapons.
Adrien lifted one hand.
“No.”
He wanted Richard to speak.
Richard sighed.
“Your father discovered I was protecting this family from people far worse than me.”
Adrien laughed bitterly.
“You paid them.”
“I controlled them.”
“You destroyed my father's trust.”
“I kept you alive.”
Then Richard opened the case.
Inside was the original ledger.
But there was something else.
A recording.
Elias Moretti's voice.
Adrien froze.
His father had recorded a final message before his death.
“I knew Richard would eventually use my secrets against my son.”
Richard's face changed.
The recording continued.
“If Adrien ever hears this, tell him one thing: never confuse protection with control.”
Adrien looked at Richard.
For the first time, Richard looked old.
The recording ended.
Police sirens sounded outside.
Adrien's men had already contacted authorities.
Richard lowered his head.
Victor dropped his weapon.
The conspiracy was finally breaking.
But Adrien still had one question.
“Why did you target Maya?”
May you like
Richard looked at me.
“Because she noticed what everyone else ignored.”
