Chapter 4 - The Man Behind the Order
Dominic survived the night.
Barely.
We didn't take him to a public hospital.
Leo arranged a private medical team to come to the estate, including an infectious-disease specialist who confirmed what I'd feared.
Someone had contaminated Dominic's water with a sedative.
Not enough to kill him directly.
Enough to weaken him while the infection did the rest.
At 6:12 the next morning, Dominic opened his eyes.
I was sitting beside the bed.
“You're still here.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“Confused.”
“Why?”
“I told you to leave.”
“And we've established how good I am at following orders.”
His eyes closed again.
“Nora.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Those two words sounded harder for him than any threat.
“Don't make me regret it.”
Leo entered carrying coffee.
“We found the staff member who delivered the water.”
Dominic immediately became alert.
“Where?”
“Security room.”
“Bring him.”
“Dominic—” I began.
“No violence.”
He looked at me.
“You have my word.”
A terrified young kitchen worker named Anthony was brought upstairs.
He couldn't have been older than twenty-two.
Dominic spoke quietly.
“Who told you to bring me that water?”
Anthony shook.
“Nobody.”
Dominic stared at him.
Anthony cracked within seconds.
“A man called me.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“What did he offer?”
“Twenty thousand dollars.”
Leo stepped forward.
Dominic lifted one hand.
“No.”
Then Dominic asked, “Did you know what was in it?”
“No. I swear. He said it would make you sleep.”
“Phone.”
Anthony handed it over.
Leo checked the call history.
“Blocked.”
I asked Anthony, “What exactly did he say?”
Anthony swallowed.
“He said Mr. Rossi had to be unconscious before eleven.”
Dominic and Leo exchanged a look.
“What happens at eleven?” I asked.
Dominic answered.
“The board meets.”
“What board?”
“My legitimate companies. Rossi Development, Rossi Logistics, three hotel groups.”
“And if you're incapacitated?”
“Vincent can request emergency authority.”
I stared at him.
“So this isn't only about revenge.”
“No.”
“It’s a takeover.”
At ten thirty, Dominic did something nobody expected.
He got dressed.
Black suit trousers.
White shirt hanging open because his shoulder couldn't tolerate a jacket.
“You're not going anywhere,” I said.
“The meeting is downstairs.”
“You nearly died six hours ago.”
“Then walk with me.”
“That isn't medical advice.”
“It's a compromise.”
I hated that he was right.
The boardroom held twelve people.
Vincent was already there.
His smile disappeared when Dominic entered.
“Brother.”
Dominic took his chair.
“Surprised?”
“You should be resting.”
“I've rested enough.”
Vincent noticed me standing behind Dominic.
“The nurse too?”
Dominic answered calmly.
“She stays.”
The meeting began.
Vincent produced documents.
“Given Dominic's condition—”
“My condition is improving.”
Vincent ignored him.
“—temporary executive authority should transfer immediately.”
One board member hesitated.
“Dominic is sitting here.”
Vincent's smile tightened.
“Barely.”
Dominic leaned back.
“Then vote.”
Vincent looked surprised.
“Excuse me?”
“Vote.”
Leo stood near the door.
Dominic continued.
“If they want you, Vincent, they should choose you.”
Vincent stared at him.
“You'd allow that?”
“I won't hold anyone by fear.”
The vote began.
One by one.
Dominic.
Dominic.
Dominic.
Dominic.
Eleven votes.
Not one for Vincent.
His face changed.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
Dominic looked around the table.
“I just stopped believing everyone wanted me dead.”
Vincent stood.
“You think this changes anything?”
Dominic's voice became quiet.
“No.”
Leo closed the doors.
“But this does.”
He placed the recorder on the table.
Vincent went pale.
Dominic pressed play.
Bell's voice filled the room.
Then Vincent's.
He could die.
That is the point.
Vincent lunged for the recorder.
Two guards stopped him.
Dominic didn't move.
“It's over.”
Vincent stared at him.
“You're choosing strangers over your own blood?”
Dominic looked at me.
Then back at his brother.
“No.”
His voice was almost sad.
“You stopped being my brother when you decided my blood belonged on the sheets.”
Police were called.
May you like
This time, Dominic didn't object.
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