Chapter 19 - The Crown of Ashes
The blast echoed through the ruin of the estate. Silas Miller collapsed onto the Persian rug, his reign ending before it had truly begun.
The wall monitor chimed aggressively: ALERT: PRIMARY USER DECEASED. SYSTEM LOCKOUT IN 60 SECONDS. ALL ASSETS WILL BE PERMANENTLY FROZEN BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE UNLESS DUAL-BIOMETRIC CONSENT IS PROVIDED.
Nico checked the monitor. "Boss, if that timer hits zero, the federal government seizes every dollar, every dock, and every company both families ever owned. You'll be broke, hunted, and bankrupt by dawn."
I stepped up to the central console. "It requires dual consent from the bloodlines of both the Moretti and Miller founding charters."
I placed my right palm onto the glowing glass screen. The system chimed: DOMINIC MORETTI VERIFIED. AWAITING SECONDARY MATCH.
I looked back at Grace, who was standing over her uncle's body, her hands trembling slightly as the adrenaline began to fade.
"Grace," I said sternly. "Place your hand on the screen. We take it all, or we lose everything."
Grace looked at her blood-stained hands, then up at me. "If I place my hand on that screen, Dominic... we become tied together forever. The underworld won't see two rival families anymore. They will see an unstoppable empire."
"Then let them be terrified," I said.
Grace stepped forward, raising her hand, and pressed her palm firmly beside mine against the glass console.
May you like
The screen flashed from crimson red to deep, brilliant gold.
BIOMETRIC OVERRIDE SUCCESSFUL. CONSOLIDATION COMPLETE. WELCOME, DIRECTORS MORETTI AND MILLER.
