Chapter 9 - THE COUSIN WHO SOLD THE PORT
Vincent Ferraro had grown up beside Elias.
They'd attended the same schools.
Spent summers at the same lake house.
Learned the family business together.
But Elias had inherited control.
Vincent had inherited resentment.
For years, Vincent managed secondary operations.
Warehouse leases.
Equipment contracts.
Port-adjacent properties.
Elias trusted him.
Not completely.
But enough.
Now the documents suggested Vincent had helped route money through Hion Ridge.
The investigator reviewed the records.
“These transfers could indicate a scheme involving inflated debts and asset seizures.”
Delphine swallowed.
“Like Aaron's boat.”
The investigator nodded.
“Possibly.”
Elias looked toward the window.
He remembered his father.
The lessons.
The threats.
The belief that loyalty was something you could purchase.
Now he saw the result.
People around him had learned to hide betrayal behind paperwork.
That evening, Elias confronted Vincent.
Not alone.
Not with violence.
With legal counsel present and records on the table.
Vincent arrived smiling.
“Cousin.”
Elias didn't smile.
“Sit.”
Vincent looked at the documents.
His expression changed.
Elias asked:
“What is Hion Ridge?”
Vincent shrugged.
“An investment firm.”
“Why are you receiving money from it?”
Silence.
Elias leaned forward.
“Vincent.”
His cousin laughed bitterly.
“You always thought you owned everything.”
Elias stared.
Vincent continued.
“The port. The warehouses. The family.”
Elias said nothing.
Vincent looked toward the documents.
“You inherited the throne. I inherited the scraps.”
Elias swallowed.
“So you stole from fishermen?”
Vincent's face hardened.
“Don't pretend you built your empire clean.”
The words struck.
Because Elias knew there was truth in them.
He looked down.
Then back at Vincent.
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“I won't pretend that.”
Vincent stared.
Elias continued.
“But I won't let you use that as an excuse to keep hurting people.”
Vincent stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Elias nodded.
“For now.”
Then he looked toward the attorney.
“Preserve everything.”
May you like
Vincent left.
And Elias knew the fight had only begun.
