Chapter 17 - THE LAST GAME OF VICTOR COSTA|
Walter survived the shooting, but his condition was critical.
His daughter was rescued and placed under protection.
Graham returned to the mansion with the flash drive.
The files revealed something even worse than the illegal financial network.
Victor had arranged the deaths of several witnesses over two decades.
Among them were men who had threatened to expose his organization, doctors who refused to falsify medical reports, and people who had helped Isabella.
But one name appeared repeatedly.
Graham Costa.
His father had spent years preparing his son to inherit the criminal empire.
He had deliberately hidden the truth, believing Graham would eventually become just as ruthless as he was.
The final file contained a video.
Graham opened it.
Victor appeared on the screen, younger and standing inside the family library.
"One day, Graham will understand that power is the only protection worth having."
The recording continued.
"His mother believes love will save him. She is wrong. Love makes men careless."
Graham stopped the video.
He stared at the screen.
Tabitha stood behind him.
"You're not him."
He shook his head.
"Sometimes I wonder."
She moved closer.
"Your father taught you to fear weakness. But you chose to save people when you could have abandoned them."
Graham looked at her.
"I pointed a gun at your heart."
"And then you put it down."
He reached for her hand.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
But the moment was interrupted by Catherine.
She entered carrying a small envelope.
"I found this in the music box."
Tabitha turned.
"What is it?"
Catherine unfolded a letter.
It was addressed to both daughters.
Isabella explained that she had discovered Victor's plan to use the Costa organization to control the family trust. She had arranged for the sisters to be separated because she believed it was the only way to keep them alive.
But the final paragraph was unexpected.
If Graham ever discovers the truth, remind him that his father is not the only man who built this family. He can choose what happens next.
Graham read the sentence twice.
Then he looked at the financial documents.
There were enough records to bring down Victor's entire network.
But doing so would also expose Graham's own criminal operations.
His security director entered.
"Boss, we have a problem."
"What?"
"Victor has contacted several of our captains. He's offering them control of the organization if they turn against you."
Graham looked at the screen.
His father was preparing to take everything.
"How many?"
"Most of them."
Tabitha stepped forward.
"Then let them go."
Graham looked at her.
She continued.
"You don't need to become your father to defeat him."
He understood what she meant.
For years, he had believed the Costa empire was the only thing keeping him alive.
But now he had something more important.
His sisters.
The people who worked for him.
And the chance to end the violence.
He called his captains.
"I'm not asking anyone to follow me into another war," he said. "I'm giving every man one final choice. Leave the criminal business behind or walk away from the Costa name."
The line went silent.
Then one captain answered.
"Boss, some of us have been waiting years for you to say that."
Graham looked toward Tabitha.
For the first time, he smiled.
But across the city, Victor was watching the same announcement on television.
He picked up his phone.
"Prepare the final move."
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Then he gave an order that would put the entire Costa family in danger.
"Burn the mansion."
