Chapter 8: The Truth Behind the Attack

Devon's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor as he followed Marco deeper into the underground level of the estate.

The atmosphere felt entirely different from the luxurious mansion above.

Concrete walls replaced polished marble.

Armed guards stood at every corner.

Steel security doors separated one section from another.

"This place looks like a military bunker," Devon remarked quietly.

"In many ways, it is," Marco replied without looking back.

"People like me don't survive long without preparing for the worst."

They stopped outside a reinforced steel door.

One of the guards nodded respectfully.

"Boss, the prisoner has been searched. No weapons."

"Open it."

The heavy door slid aside with a metallic groan.

Inside sat a man tied securely to a chair.

His clothes were torn, his face bruised, and dried blood covered one side of his forehead.

Even so, there was hatred burning in his eyes.

The moment he saw Marco, he laughed.

"You're harder to kill than the rumors say."

Marco remained expressionless.

"Who hired you?"

"Go to hell."

"Wrong answer."

Marco pulled up a chair and calmly sat opposite the man.

There was no shouting.

No threats.

His silence alone seemed enough to make everyone else uncomfortable.

"You attacked my convoy."

"You attacked my restaurant."

"You endangered innocent civilians."

"Now I'll ask one last time."

"Who sent you?"

The prisoner spat blood onto the floor.

"You'll never find him."

"Perhaps."

"But I found you."

Marco nodded toward one of his guards.

"Leave us."

Devon frowned.

"You're dismissing everyone?"

"Not everyone."

"You stay."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"If this concerns you, you deserve to hear the truth."

The guards stepped outside, leaving only Marco, Devon and the prisoner inside.

For several long moments, no one spoke.

Finally Marco leaned forward.

"Your employer made one mistake."

"What's that?" the prisoner sneered.

"He involved someone I intend to protect."

The man's confidence wavered slightly.

"Devon Hamilton means nothing to you."

"You're wrong."

"Then kill me."

"I won't."

"You'll talk eventually."

"Everyone does."

The prisoner laughed again.

"You really believe that?"

"I know it."

Marco stood and slowly walked toward the door.

"Wait..."

The prisoner suddenly called out.

Marco stopped.

"You'll never reach him before he reaches the Hamilton family."

Devon's heart skipped a beat.

"Hamilton family?"

"What does that mean?"

The prisoner smirked.

"You're already too late."

"Answer me!" Devon demanded.

"My boss doesn't care about De Luca territory."

"He wants Hamilton Group."

"You're lying," Devon snapped.

"Am I?"

"Ask yourself why your father suddenly arranged your marriage."

Devon froze.

"How do you know about that?"

"Because everything is connected."

"The merger..."

"The engagement..."

"Your father's desperation..."

"It's all part of the same game."

Marco's eyes narrowed.

"Continue."

"Not until you promise to let me live."

"I don't negotiate with hired guns."

"Then we're finished."

Marco calmly turned toward the exit.

"Take him back."

"We'll continue tomorrow."

The prisoner suddenly panicked.

"Wait!"

"If I go back in there, they'll kill me!"

"Who?"

"The people who hired us."

"They don't leave witnesses."

Marco slowly looked back.

"Now we're making progress."

"Names."

"I only know one."

"Victor Kane."

The room fell silent.

Marco's expression hardened instantly.

"Victor Kane is dead," Luca's voice suddenly came from the doorway.

He had entered unnoticed.

"That's what everyone believes," the prisoner whispered.

"But he's alive."

"And he's building an army."

"His first target isn't Marco De Luca..."

"It's Hamilton Group."

Devon felt his stomach tighten.

"My father..."

"Is in danger."

"More than danger," the prisoner corrected.

"Victor wants everything Benjamin Hamilton owns."

"And if he can't get it..."

"He'll destroy the entire family."

Marco exchanged a serious glance with Luca.

"Increase security around Hamilton Manor," Marco ordered.

"Immediately."

"Even after what Benjamin said?" Luca asked.

"Benjamin isn't my concern."

Marco looked toward Devon.

"His son is."

Devon stared at him in disbelief.

"You're still protecting my family?"

"Despite everything?"

"You didn't choose your father," Marco answered.

"People shouldn't pay for someone else's mistakes."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Devon realized this dangerous man had shown him more understanding in two days than his own father had in years.

Before he could say anything, alarms suddenly echoed throughout the underground bunker.

Red emergency lights flashed across every corridor.

"Boss!" a guard shouted through the intercom.

"We've detected an unauthorized helicopter approaching the estate!"

"It's refusing all communication..."

"And it's heading straight for the mansion!"