“Sign the papers and leave, beggar,” they mocked her during the divorce — until three black luxury cars pulled up outside.

Construction projects halted overnight.

Arthur Castellano watched it happen from the same office where he had once signed billion-dollar deals.

Now the phones would not stop ringing.

And none of the calls were good.

The First Domino

Ryan had not slept.

His penthouse apartment felt different now—too large, too empty.

He sat on the edge of the bed staring at the television.

Another news segment rolled across the screen.

“…sources confirm that several major lenders have frozen Castellano Group credit lines pending investigation into possible financial misconduct…”

Ryan grabbed the remote and muted it.

His hands were shaking.

Across the room, his phone buzzed.

Vanessa Ortega

Ryan hesitated before answering.

“What?” he snapped.

Vanessa’s voice sounded frightened.

“Ryan… there are reporters outside my apartment.”

His stomach dropped.

“How do they know where you live?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “They keep asking about you… and about Mateo.”

Ryan closed his eyes.

This was spiraling out of control.

“Just stay inside,” he said quickly. “Don’t talk to anyone.”

Vanessa’s voice trembled.

“They already know about the child.”

Ryan felt cold.

“Who told them?”

There was a pause.

Then Vanessa said softly,

“I think… Isabella did.”

Ryan hung up without responding.

But deep down he knew something worse.

Isabella had not leaked the story.

Someone far more powerful had.

Edward Reyes.

Arthur’s Last Meeting

Arthur Castellano summoned his son to the corporate headquarters that afternoon.

The once-prestigious lobby felt like a funeral home.
Employees whispered.

Some packed boxes.

Others avoided eye contact.

Ryan entered his father’s office cautiously.

Arthur stood by the window.

For the first time in Ryan’s life, the old man looked… small.

“You lied to me,” Arthur said without turning around.

Ryan swallowed.