Chapter 4 - THE CREST OF THE VIPERThe golden ring rolled across the damp stone floor, coming to a dead stop right at Mateo’s boots.
Mateo looked down at the crest—a rampant wolf biting a dagger—and then back up at Dr. Vance. The puzzle pieces clicked into place with horrifying clarity. Vincent Romano wasn't just sitting in Lorenzo’s chair upstairs; he was the mastermind orchestrating the entire corporate and bloody coup from the shadows, using pawns like Vance to do the dirty work while keeping his own hands pristine.
“Vincent sent you to finish the paperwork,” Mateo realized, a lethal edge creeping into his voice. “The transfer of assets isn't signed yet. Lorenzo refused to sign it under torture. That’s why you haven't killed him yet—you need his biometric thumbprint and signature on the digital ledger before sunrise.”
Dr. Vance’s face drained of all color. He realized the game was up. With a frantic curse, he violently shoved Sophia away, sending her tumbling onto a stack of old wooden crates, and lunged toward the dark corridor leading deeper into the mansion’s ancient utility tunnels.
“Mateo, get him!” Sophia screamed, clutching a crying Emma to her chest as she checked for injuries.
Mateo didn't hesitate. He vaulted over the iron chairs, sprinted past Lorenzo, and plunged into the pitch-black utility tunnel after the fleeing doctor.
Down in the dark, the sounds of a brutal, desperate struggle echoed off the masonry—the dull thud of fists meeting flesh, the breathless grunts of men fighting for air, and then a heavy, sickening metallic crash followed by absolute silence.
Sophia held her breath, her heart hammering against her ribs.
Slowly, heavy footsteps dragged themselves back into the light of the cellar.
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It was Mateo. His knuckles were bruised and dripping blood, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He leaned against the stone doorframe, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“He’s out cold,” Mateo panted, looking at Sophia and then shifting his gaze to Lorenzo. “We need to cut him loose right now. Vincent knows we’re down here. And based on the security feed I hacked on my way in... Vincent is already walking down the front driveway with a clean-up crew.”
