Chapter 102 The Weight Of Power

• (Luca’s Pov– A Few Days Ago)
• The room smelled of blood and burning wood. The bodies had been cleared, but the stench of death still lingered in the air like an unwelcome guest. The harbor master, Eva, and the so-called elite of the Claudia Empire were no longer among the living. Their deaths had not been quick, nor had they been merciful. But mercy had never been part of my plan.
• I sat in my leather chair, fingers lazily tapping against the polished wooden desk, watching as Rico paced the length of the room. His face was tight with frustration, and his hands clenched and unclenched as if struggling to hold back words that threatened to spill out.