Chapter 7 - THE FRIEND WHO SOLD HIS NAME
Gabriel Voss had always been good at appearing loyal.
He remembered birthdays.
Visited sick employees.
Paid funeral expenses.
He knew how to make people feel indebted.
Matteo had once mistaken that for friendship.
Now he understood that generosity could become another form of control.
Gabriel appeared on television three days after Owen's interview.
He stood outside a waterfront development project.
Smiling.
Confident.
Surrounded by investors.
A reporter asked about allegations involving Blackwater Transit Protection.
Gabriel laughed.
“Baseless accusations.”
He adjusted his tie.
“Our company has always supported safe working conditions.”
Matteo watched from his living room.
Lena sat beside him.
She looked at the screen.
“He's good.”
Matteo nodded.
“Very.”
Gabriel continued.
“We've also maintained a productive relationship with the Marquez family trust.”
Matteo's expression hardened.
The reporter asked:
“Does Matteo Marquez remain involved?”
Gabriel smiled.
“Matteo is an old friend.”
He paused.
“Of course, old habits can be difficult to leave behind.”
Lena felt cold.
The implication was obvious.
Gabriel was presenting Matteo as a hidden partner.
A dangerous man operating behind legitimate companies.
Matteo reached for his phone.
Lena touched his hand.
“Who are you calling?”
“Daniel.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
He called the attorney.
Daniel answered immediately.
“I saw it.”
Matteo took a breath.
“Can we stop him using my name?”
“We can issue a formal statement and pursue the forged documents.”
“Do it.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Matteo, there's something else.”
“What?”
“The trust board has called an emergency meeting.”
Matteo frowned.
“Why?”
“They're concerned about reputational damage.”
Lena stared at him.
Matteo's jaw tightened.
Gabriel was creating the very scandal he claimed to fear.
Daniel continued.
“He may be trying to force a sale of the remaining waterfront assets.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
“And buy them himself.”
“Exactly.”
Silence.
Matteo looked toward Lena.
She watched him carefully.
He knew what the old Matteo would have done.
He would have sent men to Gabriel's office.
Threatened him.
Demanded answers.
Perhaps worse.
But that would give Gabriel the evidence he needed.
So Matteo took a breath.
“Daniel, schedule a press conference.”
The attorney paused.
“A press conference?”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to say?”
Matteo looked at Lena.
“The truth.”
The next morning, Matteo stood before reporters.
No bodyguards.
No threats.
No intimidation.
He acknowledged his criminal past.
He explained that he had left the organization three years earlier.
He denied authorizing the disputed contracts.
He confirmed that independent experts were examining the signatures.
And he announced full cooperation with investigators.
Then a reporter asked:
“Mr. Marquez, are you afraid your past will catch up with you?”
Matteo looked directly into the camera.
“Yes.”
The room fell silent.
He continued.
“I've spent years trying to build a different life.”
His voice remained steady.
“But leaving the past doesn't erase the harm you caused.”
He took a breath.
“I accept that.”
Then he said something nobody expected.
“But I will not allow someone to use my name to threaten innocent people.”
The reporters began shouting questions.
Matteo stepped away.
Outside, Lena waited beside the car.
She looked at him.
“Proud of you.”
He smiled faintly.
“For admitting I was afraid?”
She shook her head.
May you like
“For telling the truth.”
And for the first time, Matteo understood that honesty could require more courage than violence.
