Chapter 16 - The Empire He Chose to Change
Carlo’s arrest triggered investigations across Europe.
Officials resigned.
Companies froze accounts.
News networks spent weeks analyzing the Rossi ledger.
Giovanni voluntarily stepped away from several companies while independent auditors worked.
People called it weakness.
Others called it strategy.
Isadora knew better.
It was exhaustion.
One evening, she found him alone at La Corona after closing.
No suit jacket.
Sleeves rolled up.
Tattooed forearms resting on the table.
“You haven’t eaten.”
“Neither have you.”
“I work here.”
“You quit.”
“I unquit.”
“That isn’t how employment works.”
“It is when the owner owes you.”
Gio looked up.
“What do I owe you?”
“Five weeks of overtime.”
He laughed.
She placed pasta in front of him.
They ate silently.
Then Gio said:
“I’m selling half the company.”
Isadora nearly dropped her fork.
“What?”
“The businesses connected to Carlo’s schemes.”
“What happens to employees?”
“They keep their jobs.”
“And the money?”
“Restitution fund.”
She stared at him.
“Your board will hate you.”
“They already do.”
“Your investors?”
“Also.”
“Your mother?”
“Proud.”
“Marco?”
“Annoyingly proud.”
“Me?”
He looked at her.
“That was the one I was worried about.”
Her expression softened.
“You don’t need my approval.”
“I know.”
“But?”
“I want it.”
Neither spoke.
Then Isadora reached across the table.
“You have it.”
Gio covered her hand with his.
“Isa.”
“Yes?”
“I have spent several weeks trying not to do something.”
“What?”
He leaned closer.
She stopped breathing.
The kitchen door flew open.
Marco entered.
“Good, you’re both here.”
Gio closed his eyes.
“I am going to kill your brother.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I might.”
Marco placed a folder on the table.
“I found something in Vittorio’s private archive.”
Gio reluctantly released Isadora’s hand.
“What?”
“A letter.”
“To whom?”
Marco looked at Isadora.
May you like
“To her.”
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