Chapter 4 - The Enemy Inside His Empire
Dominic Hail had always believed betrayal came from outside.
Enemies attacked from the shadows.
Rivals waited for weakness.
But Marcus revealed something worse.
The threat was already inside.
“Your security system was not hacked,” Marcus said.
“It was opened.”
Dominic looked at him.
“By who?”
Marcus handed him a file.
A single name was written on the first page.
Adrian Cross.
Dominic’s second-in-command.
The man who had worked beside him for eight years.
Russo looked shocked.
“No.”
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.”
Dominic opened the file.
Financial transfers.
Private messages.
Photos.
Everything pointed toward Adrian.
But Dominic did not react.
That was what made him dangerous.
Russo knew that look.
“Boss.”
Dominic closed the file.
“Find Adrian.”
“And if he runs?”
Dominic looked toward the city.
“He won’t.”
“Why?”
“Because he still thinks he knows me.”
---
Adrian arrived at headquarters thirty minutes later.
Confident.
Calm.
Almost amused.
“Dominic.”
He smiled.
“I heard there was a problem.”
Dominic watched him.
“A problem?”
“Yes.”
Adrian sat down.
“Somebody tried to harm you.”
Dominic remained standing.
“You seem very informed.”
Adrian smiled.
“I work for you.”
“No.”
Dominic’s voice became colder.
“You worked for me.”
The smile disappeared.
For the first time, Adrian looked nervous.
Dominic placed the file on the table.
“Explain.”
Adrian looked down.
Then laughed softly.
“You really think I would betray you?”
Dominic stared.
“I think you forgot one thing.”
“What?”
“I know you.”
The room went silent.
Adrian’s confidence faded.
Then his phone vibrated.
Dominic noticed.
“Answer it.”
Adrian hesitated.
“Answer.”
He did.
A distorted voice spoke.
“Is it done?”
Adrian looked at Dominic.
And Dominic knew.
May you like
The betrayal was real.
---
