Chapter 46

• The conference room was cloaked in a heavy silence, the only sound the faint ticking of the antique clock mounted on the far wall. Rafael Castellano sat at the head of the long table, his hands clasped in front of him, his expression unreadable. Around him sat the remnants of the Castellano allies—men and women who had served his father’s empire, some with loyalty, others with calculated self-interest. Today, he would break the news that would shatter the foundation they stood on.
• “I’ll be brief,” Rafael began, his voice steady but firm. “I called you here to inform you that I’m done. Effective immediately, I’m severing all ties with the Castellano organization. My father’s legacy dies with me.”
• The room erupted. A cacophony of disbelief, anger, and confusion filled the space, but Rafael didn’t flinch. He let the noise die down before continuing.