Chapter 3: The Empire Begins to Fall
Chapter 3: The Empire Begins to Fall
Richard Marlo stepped forward.
"Mr. Rossi..."
He forced a smile.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
"There isn't."
Matteo answered.
His eyes never left Ethan.
"Your son assaulted my wife."
Ethan rolled his eyes.
"Oh, please."
"It was hair."
"It grows back."
Several guests nodded uneasily.
Matteo smiled.
For the first time.
It wasn't kindness.
It was disappointment.
"Interesting."
He reached into his pocket again.
This time...
His phone.
He pressed one button.
Across the ballroom...
Every television screen changed.
The charity presentation disappeared.
Security footage appeared instead.
Multiple camera angles.
Crystal clear.
Ethan grabbing Anna.
Ethan cutting her hair.
Guests laughing.
Phones recording.
No edits.
No missing seconds.
Just the truth.
Every face in the ballroom turned pale.
Matteo looked toward the hotel manager.
"How many live streams?"
The manager whispered,
"Thirty-two."
"And the recordings?"
"Automatically backed up."
Matteo nodded once.
"Good."
Then he made one phone call.
"Release everything."
He hung up.
Within sixty seconds...
Social media exploded.
Millions watched.
News stations interrupted programming.
Financial reporters began calling the Marlo Group.
Sponsors started withdrawing.
One after another.
Richard's phone wouldn't stop ringing.
His chief legal officer called.
Then his board chairman.
Then three international investors.
Finally...
His secretary whispered,
"The stock is crashing."
Richard's hands began shaking.
"Ethan..."
"What did you do?"
May you like
For the first time...
Ethan stopped smiling.
