Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO CHOSE THE TRUTH
Silas Greco was arrested after investigators uncovered evidence connecting him to financial misconduct and efforts to conceal records related to the Harbor Row warehouse.
The investigation continued.
Victor Hale provided additional testimony.
Financial documents revealed that Silas had been diverting money through shell companies.
Elias had discovered the scheme.
He had planned to report it.
Then the warehouse burned.
Investigators established that records had been deliberately removed before the fire.
The evidence also raised serious questions about whether the blaze had been intentionally caused.
Mateo cooperated with authorities.
He provided company records.
Allowed independent audits.
And acknowledged failures in oversight.
He also began separating legitimate freight operations from the criminal networks that had surrounded the family for decades.
It was not easy.
Some associates resisted.
Others threatened to withdraw support.
Mateo continued anyway.
One evening, Mara found him standing beside the conservatory.
"You look tired," she said.
He smiled faintly.
"I am."
"Have you been sleeping?"
"More."
She nodded.
"Good."
He looked at her.
"Mara."
"Yes?"
"I owe you an apology."
She frowned.
"For what?"
"For letting this place fall apart."
She looked around.
"The conservatory survived."
"Because of you."
Mara shook her head.
"Because Elias built something worth protecting."
Mateo smiled.
"And because you refused to let it die."
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
"Maybe."
May you like
For the first time, Mateo realized he wanted more than to protect the conservatory.
He wanted to know the woman who had kept it alive.
