CHAPTER 9 — The Maid's Final Secret
The bullet never came from Isabella.
It came from the ceiling.
A hidden sniper killed Luca before he could pull the trigger.
He collapsed into Vincent's arms.
Blood soaked Vincent's suit.
Luca smiled weakly.
"I couldn't..."
"...do it."
With his final strength, he slipped a tiny metallic key into Vincent's hand.
"There isn't much time."
"The real weapon..."
"...isn't money."
"...it's beneath Torino Manor."
Then he died.
Alarms suddenly screamed throughout the underground city.
Emergency lights flashed crimson.
Every screen displayed the same message.
SECURITY BREACH.
The Queen calmly watched the chaos.
Then...
she smiled.
"This was always part of the plan."
Vincent realized the horrifying truth.
She had never intended to recruit him.
She wanted him to lead her straight to something hidden beneath his own mansion.
The entire attack...
Marcus's betrayal...
Father Gabriel...
Luca...
Every tragedy had pushed Vincent toward one destination.
Torino Manor.
Isabella grabbed Vincent's arm.
"We have to leave."
"Now."
"What's under my house?"
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"The truth."
"What truth?"
She hesitated.
Then whispered the words that shattered everything Vincent believed.
"You were never born into the Torino family."
"You were stolen."
Vincent's face went pale.
"What... did you say?"
"The Queen didn't choose you because you were strong."
"She chose you because of your blood."
Outside, explosions ripped through the underground city.
The Council of Shadows had begun destroying its own headquarters.
Evidence disappeared in flames.
Members executed one another.
The Queen walked calmly into the fire without looking back.
Her final words echoed through the collapsing chamber.
"If Vincent discovers who he really is..."
"...the world we've built will end."
Vincent tightened his grip around the mysterious key.
Somewhere beneath Torino Manor...
a secret had been buried for more than forty years.
And whatever was waiting there...
May you like
was worth sacrificing an empire to protect.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTERS 10–12...
