Nico rejected every nanny and screamed whenever his father left him alone, but the moment Liana held him, he became silent—and Matteo soon discovered a secret that made his blood run cold

Matteo’s pistol slipped from his fingers, clattering loudly against the imported hardwood floor. The billionaire staggered backward until his spine hit the carved mahogany bookshelf, his hands trembling violently.

“No,” he whispered, the denial tearing out of his chest. “No, that’s… that’s an administrative nightmare. That’s a conspiracy too vast—”

“It wasn't just the hospital staff, Matteo,” Elena said, stepping closer to her husband, finally closing the distance between them and burying her face in his shoulder. “It was your own chief of security. He was taking bribes from the syndicate. He orchestrated the fake car crash seven months ago to make me disappear, and he orchestrated the hospital cover-up to keep you destabilized.”

At that exact moment, the heavy oak door of the nursery was kicked open with a deafening crash.

Standing in the doorway were the two guards in black suits who had been stationed outside the room. But their posture had changed entirely. Their guns were drawn, and the head of security stood between them, a cold, ruthless smirk plastered across his face.

“Well, well, well,” the head of security chuckled, raising his sidearm and aiming it directly at Matteo’s chest. “Family reunions are always so touching. Too bad none of you are leaving this room alive.”

Matteo moved instinctively to shield Elena and Liana, but he was unarmed, his pistol lying yards away on the floor.

“You,” Matteo growled, recognizing the traitor who had served him for five years. “I trusted you.”

“Trust is a luxury for men who don't run global cartels, Mr. Varric,” the traitor sneered. “The syndicate wants your entire empire liquidated. With you, your resurrected wife, and your two little babies dead in a tragic 'nursery gas leak,' everything defaults to the board of directors—who happen to be on our payroll.”

The guard on the left raised his weapon, aiming directly at Liana, who was still cradling Nico tightly against her chest.