Chapter 10 - THE FALL OF ALDO MANFREDI
Aldo Manfredi was arrested in April.
The charges included fraud, conspiracy, and offenses connected to the medical scheme and harbor operations.
Bellini faced separate charges related to his conduct as a physician.
Camilla's role remained under investigation.
The news spread quickly.
Men who had once lowered their voices around Aldo began speaking openly.
Former employees came forward.
Records surfaced.
The empire he'd tried to steal began collapsing.
I watched the reports from my rehabilitation room.
I didn't smile.
Rebecca sat beside me.
“It's over,” she said.
I shook my head.
“Not yet.”
She looked at me.
“Dario?”
I stared at the television.
“Aldo wasn't the only one who benefited from the way we operated.”
Rebecca nodded slowly.
“No.”
I looked at her.
“I want the rest examined.”
She studied me.
“Even if it leads back to you?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
The next months were difficult.
I cooperated with investigators.
Disclosed records.
Accepted scrutiny of my own conduct.
Several businesses were placed under independent management.
Others were sold.
My wealth diminished.
My influence disappeared.
The men who once rushed to answer my calls became difficult to reach.
And strangely, I began to breathe easier.
Dr. Conti continued overseeing my recovery.
My hands trembled less.
I could stand with support.
Then walk short distances.
Each improvement felt enormous.
One afternoon, Giulia visited.
She watched me take six careful steps between parallel bars.
Then clapped.
“You did it!”
I laughed.
“Barely.”
She shook her head.
“You did it.”
Elena stood beside her.
Her eyes filled.
I looked at them.
For years, I'd believed strength meant never needing help.
Now every step I took required someone to stand nearby.
And I had never felt more determined to live.
That evening, I returned to my room.
I looked at the toy lion beside my bed.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Not dead yet.”
