Chapter 15 - Betrayal in the Ranks
The failed attempt to seize Lily pushed Matteo into a corner. And a cornered beast is always the most dangerous.
Two days later, Giovanni’s global logistics headquarters was raided by the FBI. While his lawyers managed to prevent any immediate arrests, the company’s stock plummeted, and several major international clients threatened to pull their contracts. The pressure was mounting.
Giovanni spent forty-eight hours straight at the office, analyzing the logistics data to find the mole who had leaked the legacy codes. Jessica refused to sit idly by. She decided to pay a visit to someone who knew the inner workings of the old syndicate better than anyone: Camila.
Camila, Jessica’s close friend and the head of the pediatric ward where Jessica used to work, had deep connections to the community. Her brother, Leo, had once worked as a driver for the Fierro family before going straight.
They met at a quiet, unassuming café on the outskirts of the city.
"Jessica, you're playing with fire," Camila warned, holding Jessica's hands across the table. "My brother Leo says the streets are talking. Matteo isn't just trying to ruin Giovanni's business. He’s planning something permanent. He’s hired mercenaries from Eastern Europe. They don't care about FBI investigations or local police."
"I know," Jessica said, her voice tight. "But Giovanni is trying to play by the rules now. He’s trying to be the man I deserve, the father Lily deserves. If he goes back to his old ways to fight Matteo, he loses everything we’ve built. I have to find a way to neutralize Matteo legally, or at least draw him out where he can be caught red-handed."
"There is one way," Camila said hesitantly. "Leo heard that Matteo is hosting a private meeting tonight at an underground casino in the Rosemont area. He’s meeting with the corrupt port officials who helped frame Giovanni’s shipping container. If you can get proof of that meeting—proof that Matteo orchestrated the contraband plant—the FBI will have no choice but to arrest Matteo and clear Giovanni's company."
"How do we get in?" Jessica asked, a spark of hope igniting in her chest.
"You don't," a voice said from behind her.
Jessica turned to see Marco standing there, his expression grim. He had been tracking her security detail. "Jessica, you cannot go there. It is a death trap."
"Then you go, Marco. Or we send someone who can," Jessica insisted. "We need that proof. If we get it, the federal investigation into Giovanni ends, and Tyler’s backers disappear. It’s the key to ending this entire nightmare."
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Marco looked at her, seeing the fierce determination in her eyes. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Giovanni will kill me if he finds out I let you involve yourself in this."
"He won't find out," Jessica said. "Because we are going to do this together."
