In the evening, Don Alessandro and Ryan sat in the grand hall. Don Alessandro leaned forward.
"Ryan, you have been loyal to me. Prove yourself today. Name three things you need and have been wanting."
He had always dreamed of a life in Italy.
"A house in Tuscany, a Bugatti La Voiture Noire, and a bodyguard."
Don Alessandro chuckled.
"You are indeed a man of vision. Consider it done."
When Marco heard this, he began to burn with jealousy.
I must make sure I take him down, he swore under his breath, with the help of other members who hated Ryan. Marco orchestrated the setup perfectly. He planted fake evidence, made anonymous tips, and fueled the fire.
Next thing Ryan knew, he was dragged before Don Alessandro, accused of being a traitor—an informant.
Don Alessandro's face turned stone cold.
Ryan swore he was innocent, but the evidence looked damning.
Marco, the loyal soldier, whispered in Don Alessandro's ear,
"I watched him…"
The accusation hung in the air like a noose.
Marco's eyes narrowed.
"You know the punishment for rats."
Ryan slammed his fist on the table, eyes blazing.
"I deny it! I would never betray you. You know me better."
"Do you have any evidence to clear yourself, or were you just acting?" Marco asked with a smirk.
"Yes," Ryan said. "I was in the warehouse last night. The people who collided with Marco said—"
Don Alessandro looked at him, gesturing for him to defend himself.
Ryan was quiet, watching as his enemies accused him.
"Since he won't talk, that means my evidence is real," Marco said. "And I learned the hard way—you shouldn't trust him too much."
Marco smiled coldly.
"He's a risk. Send him to Lorenzo."
The others nodded.
"Let Lorenzo deal with him."
Everyone knew Lorenzo was untouchable. He had been pushing into their territory.
Marco continued,
"Send him and we'll call it even. Make him useful."
Ryan knew the stakes.
Lorenzo was a monster—brutal, cunning, and ruthless. Don Alessandro's history with him was bloody. He had lost his family in a failed war against Lorenzo.
Don Alessandro didn't want Ryan to die in Lorenzo's hands.
"I believe my son. He is innocent. He can never betray me," Don Alessandro said, defending Ryan.
Ryan stood to his feet, his eyes cold.
"I have clear evidence," Ryan said. He brought out his phone and played a video, showing it to Don Alessandro and the others.
"I knew it. My son would never betray me," Don Alessandro said and hugged him.