Chapter 2: The Truth Behind the Name
The Valemont Palace looked different from the top floor.
Quieter.
Sharper.
More honest.
Marco stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of Vance Holdings’ private executive suite, the city stretching endlessly beneath him.
Chairman Vance stood a respectful distance behind.
“They didn’t recognize you,” Vance said carefully.
Marco gave a small smile.
“They weren’t supposed to.”
Silence settled between them.
Then—
“Your grandfather built this entire district,” Vance continued. “Every bank, every major investment line… it all traces back to your family.”
Marco’s reflection in the glass didn’t change.
“They remember the name,” he said. “Just not the face.”
Vance nodded slowly.
“And now?”
Marco turned.
“For now,” he said, “we proceed exactly as planned.”
Vance understood immediately.
A quiet takeover.
A silent correction.
Not loud revenge.
Something far more dangerous.
Control.
Meanwhile—
Across the city, the De Luca estate was anything but quiet.
“Fix it!”
Giulia’s voice cracked as she paced across the marble floor, her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
“You said he was nothing!”
Her father stood rigid near the window, his face pale.
“I was wrong,” he admitted.
Giulia froze.
That word alone sent a chill through her spine.
“You don’t understand,” her father continued, his voice low now. “If he is who I think he is…”
He trailed off.
Giulia swallowed. “Then what?”
Her father looked at her.
And for the first time in her life—
May you like
She saw fear.
“We’re not the ones with power anymore.”
